Liverpool is officially signed by Gravenberch. He will give Jurgen Klopp a much-needed new midfield option. Here is a possible Liverpool starting lineup with Gravenberch.
With this addition, the Reds’ midfield will have undergone a significant shift this summer. The departures of players like Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, and Fabio Carvalho have left huge voids in the center of the pitch for Liverpool fans to fill.
By acquiring Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for roughly £35 million—a steal compared to other summer transfers—the club executed a superb early business deal. Dominik Szoboszlai quickly came after, but Liverpool was disappointed as other midfield targets eluded them.
However, it appears that they will at least close the transfer window with the arrival of one more midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch, who will compete with Curtis Jones and fellow newcomer Wataru Endo.
How could Liverpool line up with Gravenberch?
Gravenberch as the holding midfielder
The Dutchman will most likely play as the holding midfielder in the Ryan Gravenberch-led Liverpool lineup. Gravenberch would be expected to hold the midfield and provide security for a defense that has given up goals in each of the first three Premier League games of the season, with Mac Allister and Szoboszlai now appearing to be lock-in picks.
It might take some time for Klopp to restore Gravenberch’s confidence and transform him into the holding midfielder he needs after a fragmented season in Munich. Endo may continue to play the same position as he did in the most recent victory at Newcastle in the interim, but the Japanese international can expect fierce competition from the newcomer.
Gravenberch would be playing more like he did at Ajax, where he frequently played as a lone pivot. This contrasts with his limited opportunities in Munich, where he typically played alongside Joshua Kimmich or Leon Goretzka in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In order to catch the ball, the 21-year-old would dive deep and probably try to feed either Mac Allister or Szoboszlai. His height and speed will also be advantages for Liverpool as they seek greater stability following a rocky 2022–23 campaign in which the Reds allowed 47 Premier League goals.
Gravenberch as a number 8
Gravenberch might serve as the team’s number 8 as an alternative for Jurgen Klopp. He would most likely take his position on the left side of the three, a position he also held during his time in the Eredivisie, where he frequently worked effectively with Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax in that position.
Gravenberch would have far more leeway to advance and support attacks in such a role. In his early years, he was more of an attack-minded player who frequently scored for Ajax’s junior and senior sides, but over the past two seasons, he has been used in a more conservative role.
Gravenberch’s versatility should guarantee that the teenager sees action this season across the Liverpool midfield, though it may yet be that the number 8 role proves to be his best. That will give Jurgen Klopp a decent opportunity to fairly evaluate the Dutch international, in whom Manchester United was rumored to have expressed interest this summer.