The Ryan Gravenberch Puzzle | Why Liverpool’s Forgotten Man Could Be Arne Slot’s Secret Weapon
Let’s be honest for a second. There’s a certain type of player who gets football fans in India and everywhere else, really truly excited. It’s not just the goalscorer or the rock-solid defender. It’s the midfielder who plays football like it’s music. The one who glides, who sees passes nobody else sees, who seems to have an extra second on the ball. When Ryan Gravenberch signed for Liverpool, that’s who we thought we were getting.
And then… well, his first season happened. A flash of brilliance here, a frustratingly anonymous game there. A handful of goals in cup competitions, but a feeling that he was a passenger in the high-octane chaos of the Premier League. For many, the verdict was already creeping in: another expensive ‘what if’.
But here’s the thing. I think that’s the wrong way to look at it. Completely. What fascinates me about the Gravenberch situation isn’t his struggle, but the reason why he struggled. And more importantly, why the arrival of a new manager in Arne Slot might not just rescue his Liverpool FC career, but turn him into the player we were all promised.
This isn’t just another transfer story. It’s a puzzle of talent, tactics, and timing. And the solution could be hiding in plain sight.
The Ajax Prodigy | What Was All the Fuss About?
To understand the puzzle, you have to go back to the beginning. Before the wilderness year at Bayern Munich, before the last-minute scramble to Anfield, there was Gravenberch at Ajax . And he was, in a word, breathtaking.
At Ajax, he was the heartbeat of the team. Tall, ridiculously elegant on the ball, with an uncanny ability to drive through the middle of the pitch. In the Netherlands, they nicknamed him ‘De Spin’ (The Spider) because of his long limbs and the way he’d elegantly protect the ball and wriggle out of tight spaces. He wasn’t just a passenger in the system; he often was the system.
He was a controller. A rhythm-setter. The kind of player who dictates the tempo of a game, speeding it up with a sudden burst or slowing it down with a calm, possession-retaining pass. He was compared to Paul Pogba for his physique and grace, but his game was built on the foundations of Dutch “Total Football.” It was technical, intelligent, and fluid. This is the €40 million player Liverpool believed they were buying.
Klopp’s Machine vs. Gravenberch’s Rhythm | A Mismatch of Style?
So, what went wrong? Why did this midfield maestro often look like a confused bystander in a red shirt? I don’t believe it was a lack of talent or effort. I think it was a fundamental clash of styles. A clash of footballing music.
Let me explain. Jurgen Klopp’s football, at its peak, is heavy metal. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s relentless. It’s Gegenpressing . It’s about creating chaos, forcing errors, and transitioning from defence to attack in a heartbeat. The midfielders in this system are engines they have to be pressing machines, possessed of incredible stamina and an instinct for aggressive, vertical movement. Think of a prime Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum. They were masters of this chaotic art.
Ryan Gravenberch ? He’s more like smooth jazz.
He thrives on composure, on finding space, on a structured build-up where his technical quality can shine. He needs the ball at his feet to influence a game. But in Klopp’s system, especially last season, the midfield was often bypassed in a frantic rush to get the ball to the forwards. He was asked to be a pressing machine, a role that just isn’t natural to his game. It was like asking a master sitar player to shred on a heavy metal guitar. He might know the notes, but the rhythm, the feel, is all wrong. It’s no wonder he looked out of tune.
Enter Arne Slot | Why the Dutch Connection Could Finally Unlock a €40m Talent
This is where things get really interesting. The departure of Jurgen Klopp was emotional, the end of an era. But for a player like Gravenberch, the arrival of Arne Slot could be a career-defining opportunity.
Why? Because Slot’s footballing philosophy is rooted in the very same Dutch school of thought that produced Gravenberch. While it incorporates intense pressing, Slot’s style seen at Feyenoord is generally more focused on possession and positional play. His teams are built around a double pivot in midfield, with technically gifted players controlling the game, breaking lines with passes, and providing a structured foundation. For an in-depth look at his tactical approach,The Athletic’s analysisprovides excellent insight.
Sound familiar? It’s the exact environment where Gravenberch flourished at Ajax.
Under Slot, Gravenberch won’t just be an engine; he’ll be a conductor. He’ll be tasked with getting on the ball, dictating play, and using his unique blend of size, strength, and elegance to be the link between defence and attack. The system will be built to his strengths, not in spite of them. While fans pore over Liverpool transfer news for a new star, the biggest upgrade to Liverpool’s midfield next season might not be a new signing, but a reimagined Ryan Gravenberch.
It’s a tantalizing prospect. We’ve seen how some teams, like the LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders , can change dramatically with a shift in midfield dynamics. The same could happen at Anfield. The potential is enormous, and the change in management provides the perfect catalyst.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ryan Gravenberch’s best position?
His most natural role is as a ‘number 8’ in a three-man midfield, or as part of a double pivot. He excels when he has the freedom to carry the ball forward from deep, acting as a bridge between the defence and the attack. He’s not a defensive ‘number 6’ or a purely attacking ‘number 10’.
Why did he struggle so much under Jurgen Klopp?
It was less about talent and more about tactical fit. Klopp’s high-energy, chaotic “heavy metal” football demands relentless pressing from its midfielders. Gravenberch is more of a tempo-controlling, technical player who thrives in a more structured, possession-based system. It was a clash of styles.
How much did Liverpool pay for Ryan Gravenberch?
Liverpool signed Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich on the summer 2023 transfer deadline day for a fee reported to be around €40 million (£34.3 million).
Will Ryan Gravenberch play for the Netherlands in Euro 2024?
No. Despite being named in the preliminary squad, he was ultimately cut from the final 26-man squad by manager Ronald Koeman. This was a disappointment but gives him a full pre-season to impress Arne Slot at Liverpool.
What is Arne Slot’s style of play?
Arne Slot prefers an attacking, possession-based 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. His teams are known for their intense pressing (similar to Klopp) but also for their structured build-up play and control of the midfield, which should suit Gravenberch perfectly.
Could he be sold this summer?
It’s highly unlikely. With a new manager who shares his footballing DNA, this coming season is seen as a massive opportunity for Gravenberch. Both the club and player will be hoping the new system unlocks his potential. This is a topic even a club with financial complexities like Barcelona with Inigo Martinez can relate to; getting the best out of existing assets.
The story of Ryan Gravenberch at Liverpool isn’t over; in fact, the most important chapter might be about to begin. We’ve seen the prologue the hype from Ajax and the confusion of his first season. But now, with a manager who speaks his footballing language, we might finally get to see the masterpiece. Don’t write him off. The forgotten man of Klopp’s final season could just become the secret weapon of Slot’s first.
