‘Slot completely trusts him’ – Praise for Liverpool’s Rising Midfield Star | OneFootball

Ryan Gravenberch: From Bayern Struggles to Liverpool’s Midfield Maestro

When Ryan Gravenberch first burst through at Ajax, the tag of “the new Frank Rijkaard” weighed heavily on his young shoulders. That comparison, as BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty reminds us, risked suffocating a player still finding his way in senior football. His struggles at Bayern Munich reinforced those fears, but Liverpool’s faith – and Arne Slot’s trust – have transformed him into one of Europe’s most impressive midfielders.

Slot’s tactical faith

Arne Slot’s decision to use Gravenberch as Liverpool’s holding midfielder during his debut title-winning season was a turning point. When a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi fell through, Slot turned to a player he knew from Dutch football. It proved an inspired choice.

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This season, Gravenberch has been granted more freedom. The numbers tell their own story: two goals in four appearances, chances created in every game, and a commanding display in the Merseyside derby. His evolution has been striking.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy praised him in glowing terms to BBC Sport: “He has been Liverpool’s best and most important player this season… There are not many central midfield players who can carry the ball through the lines. Most midfielders are passers through the lines.”

From despair to brilliance

Gravenberch’s season at Bayern left many wondering if he could fulfil his potential. Journalist Marcel van der Kraan told BBC Sport: “Arne Slot has put the final piece in the Gravenberch jigsaw.”

Now, instead of fading into obscurity, Gravenberch is leading Liverpool’s midfield. The comparisons with Jude Bellingham may have once seemed absurd, but Rafael van der Vaart’s claim that “He’s better than Jude Bellingham” is no longer met with the same ridicule.

European elite status

Murphy argues that Gravenberch was “the best in the Premier League last season” in the holding role, even surpassing City’s Rodri due to his absence. That’s lofty company – and with Liverpool flying, his importance cannot be overstated.

At 23, Gravenberch has the tools to dominate European midfields for years to come. With his blend of strength, athleticism and technical vision, it feels like Liverpool have unearthed the player Bayern thought they were getting.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan perspective, Gravenberch’s resurgence is both thrilling and reassuring. Many supporters were anxious when Zubimendi slipped through the club’s grasp. That failed move looked like a gamble – but Slot’s decision to put his trust in Gravenberch now feels like one of the defining managerial calls of Liverpool’s modern era.

Gravenberch’s ability to control games from deep while driving forward mirrors some of the best midfielders in club history. Fans will see echoes of Steven Gerrard’s dynamism, though expressed in a calmer, more measured way.

Supporters have also warmed to his resilience. Many young players would have been broken by a disappointing season in Germany, but Gravenberch’s response has been outstanding. There’s a sense among fans that this is a player finally playing in the right league, at the right club, under the right manager.

The debate around Jude Bellingham naturally stirs strong opinions in Liverpool circles. Few fans will want to claim Gravenberch is definitively better, but his form makes the conversation a valid one. At the very least, Liverpool supporters will feel proud that their midfield has a player who can be mentioned in the same breath as Europe’s finest.

Ultimately, fans believe this is just the beginning. If Gravenberch continues on this trajectory, he could be the heartbeat of Liverpool’s midfield for the next decade – and perhaps the foundation for another era of sustained success at Anfield.