Liverpool boss Arne Slot has one new favourite in his squad (Image: Getty)
half-time substitution during 2-1 win over Lille on Tuesday may have sent some fans into a tailspin. Under , not even a year ago, they might not have even noticed.
Fortunately, insisted it was all part of his plan to protect the midfielder ahead of their clash with Ipswich Town at the weekend, which made sense as their Champions League progress was already confirmed.
“The idea was to take Dom [Szoboszlai] and Ryan off at half-time, but Curtis unfortunately couldn’t continue, so that’s why Dom stayed [on] a bit longer,” Slot said after the game.
His comments suggested he views Gravenberch not just as a key member of the squad, but almost an undroppable now.
Such a label is usually given to the likes of , Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker in the squad. But Gravenberch can firmly consider his name as one of those written in cement on the Reds’ teamsheet as long as Slot is in charge.
The central midfielder is part of the new spine for the Merseysiders. He is Slot’s midfield lieutenant, and to some extent, so is Alexis Mac Allister.
But there are only three players in the squad to have started all 28 games this season across the and Champions League. Salah is one, Van Dijk another and Gravenberch completes the set.
How quickly things can change. Under Klopp, the 22-year-old was handed first-team minutes but in smatterings, or as part of a squad rotation when one of Mac Allister or Harvey Elliott needed a rest. He only started 12 games and made 14 appearances from the bench in the , giving him 26 games in total.
Ryan Gravenberch was taken off at half time as Arne Slot wanted to rest the midfielder (Image: Getty)
This season, the Dutchman has been a pivotal figure in Slot’s midfield three and needs only five more starts until the end of the season to match that total. Only injury will stop him from getting there.
Gravenberch’s sudden rise to prominence isn’t a fluke. He was plucked from Ajax by Bayern Munich when he was 19 with huge expectations placed upon his shoulders.
And while he struggled to make the grade at the Allianz Arena, Klopp still felt compelled to spend £34million to bring him to Anfield in the summer of 2023.
If it felt like an expensive investment at the time, it’s looking like a shrewd one now.
Ryan Gravenberch is Liverpool’s most reliable midfielder (Image: Getty)
The way Gravenberch confidently carries the ball through the central areas is mesmerising and his passing has improved too – only Curtis Jones (94 per cent) has been more accurate than Gravenberch, who has a 89 per cent completion rate.
To his credit, Slot has identified his most effective role as being a No.6, while Klopp felt he could play higher. Both might be true, but the Netherlands star’s performances suggest the current boss had the right idea.
Subtle changes like this and utilising Cody Gakpo on the left flank instead of through the middle have helped make marginal gains from Klopp’s time in charge, although many would argue being top of the league by six points is no small feat for Slot.
Providing he can stay fit, Gravenberch will only continue to improve under his tutelage – and that is a frightening scenario for their rivals to contemplate.