Richard Hughes lining up move to sign the NEXT Ryan Gravenberch for Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool are now be lining up a move for the next Ryan Gravenberch.

The Dutchman has been a revelation at Anfield since arriving from Bayern Munich. Gravenberch has revived his career under Arne Slot, becoming one of the best defensive midfielders in not just the Premier League but European football.

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In the process, Gravenberch has also fulfilled the potential many tipped him to have at a very early age.

Just over half a decade ago, when he was breaking through at Ajax, Gravenberch was regarded as the best young talent to have emerged from the club's renowned academy in decades.

This is an academy that has produced legends like Clarence Seedorf, Johan Cruyff, Patrick Kluivert, Frank Rijkaard and Dennis Bergkamp, so that is saying a lot.

At this rate, Gravenberch's name could go down with those legends if he maintains his current level of performances. He's definitely, the best Ajax graduate to have emerged from the club's academy in the last decade.

But there is someone ready to rival him. And Liverpool are ready to make a move for him as well.

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The Reds have suddenly developed a strong relationship with Ajax. Currently, Liverpool have two players on loan at the historic club with Vitezslav Jaros having established himself as Ajax's no.1 goalkeeper and James McConnell having arrived to replace Jordan Henderson.

This has been influenced by the appointment of Johnny Heitinga as Ajax's manager. The former Everton defender was an assistant under Arne Slot last season and developed close ties with the Reds.

Heitinga has used these new connections to his benefit and in the coming years Liverpool could do the same.

Especially, as Richard Hughes is currently looking to sign another midfielder on the Reds' left-side. Anfield Watch understands Liverpool want to sign a left-footed progressive defensive midfielder in 2026.

This is where Ajax's academy graduate Jorthy Mokio could come into play.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are among a number of clubs monitoring his situation at Ajax. Manchester United have also been credited with interest in the 17-year-old midfielder.

Mokio is a left-footed midfielder, who has predominantly played as a holding midfielder for Ajax on the left-side. Mokio has also covered the left-back position at times and became the second youngest player to make his debut for Ajax's senior team at just 16 years and six months old.

Who was the youngest? Gravenberch, who made his debut at 16 years and fourth months old.

Before them, it was Seedorf who was just 26-days older than Gravenberch when he made his debut.

So, it's fair to say, if you're a young midfielder making your debut for Ajax at just 16-years-old, you got a good chance of having a successful career.

Mokio's performances for Ajax highlight this.

© IMAGO - Jorthy Mokio Liverpool

In just under 1200 senior career minutes, he's averaged 7.88 defensive duels per 90 minutes, winning 70%. He's a good duel winner, who reads the game well and has a lot of legs and energy to cover a large section of the pitch.

Mokio is also a progressive ball carrier, which is what Liverpool want. He has averaged two progressive runs per 90 minutes, and makes more than 10 forward passes.

His 1.65 dribble attempts per 90, is also quite a high volume for a holding midfielder. The 65% success rate is a decent return, too.

If we are looking at his FBref profile against his positional peers, Mokio ranks in the upper 90th percentile for successful take-ons and progressive carries.

He's got the energy Liverpool are looking for. It's no surprise Hughes is reportedly keeping a close eye on him. This is a move that could line up Liverpool's next Gravenberch.