The pivot in Liverpool’s soon to be title winning side. At just 22 years of age, Ryan Gravenberch is now an essential player in Arne Slot’s Midfield. With the footballing world at his feet and of course, Real Madrid have come knocking.
Liverpool Committee Bargain
Another one strikes the dust. Ryan Gravenberch is now among a long and prestigious list of incredible Liverpool signings in past decade.
Signed for £34.2 million, his arrival from Bayern Munich went under the radar.
From Coutinho and Suarez, to Firmino, Mane, Salah and the list continues.
More recently we’ve seen the arrivals of Konate, Gakpo and of now Ryan Gravenberch.
The Liverpool Transfer Committee is one of the best at finding talented players.
Those they sign that represent undervalued assets, but most importantly players with determination to succeed at the highest level, and professionalism beyond their years.
Perhaps that is the secret to the majority of Liverpool’s recent success.
First Season 2023/24: The good and the bad
The talent was always there to see with Ryan Gravenberch. His inconsistencies and seemingly burning out late in games resulted in a shortage of minutes in Jurgen Klopp’s new midfield.
He totalled 1,848 minutes that season. Unable to fully nailed down a starting place within a Midfield of Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Liverpool fans had no reason to lose patience. Gravenberch’s skill and ability to control ball was apparent from his first minutes wearing a Red shirt. It was only a matter of time before his ability shined.
Natural composure with the ball even when pressured is a uncommon trait. This quality would result in him becoming a crucial player in Slot’s system and currently, one of the best young midfielders in the World.
Arne Slot Breakthrough 2025/25
In Jurgen Klopp’s final year Liverpool were forced to play Alexis MacAllister as number 6 for most of the season.
What Klopp didn’t realize, is that he had one of the best Defensive Midfielders in the League already in the squad.
Change of Position and Arne’s Coaching
The Ryan Gravenberch that has emerged this season is unlike anything Liverpool fans thought possible.
From his very first minutes as a number 6 he excelled to levels unseen at Liverpool since Fabinho was at the club.
A different mould of player compared to a typical Defensive Midfielder, Gravenberch possess great awareness of his surroundings. This enables him to drift out of tight situations with ease and retain possession when others would be dispossessed.
This season his minutes total 3,786, almost double what he had last season and the 3rd highest in the entire Liverpool squad.
Without Ryan Gravenberch, many could argue Liverpool would not be top of the Premier League.
Obnoxious Agent and Real Madrid slip up
Agents are not supposed tarnish their clients names.
Enter Jose Fortes, once friend of notorious agent Mino Raiola and now, works for players like Justin Kluivert, Micky Van De Ven and of course Ryan Gravenberch.
This week when speaking in an interview with Marca, he was quoted:
He’s good enough for Real Madrid. We would love for him to play for them, but Liverpool would ask for a lot of money. I know they’ve had their eye on him, but now it’s impossible.
Why open your mouth when it’s ‘impossible’
Quotes like these really open your eyes to how self-centred and greedy Football Agents are.
To the detriment of Ryan Gravenberch’s reputation at Liverpool, Fortes openly discussed his personal desire for his client to play for the Los Blanco’s.
A player who the fans have really taken to this season, who’s excelled under new management and could potentially be an incredible servant at the club.
Now, he has to defend himself against allegations he himself did not impose.
Let’s clarify why it’s ‘Impossible’
There are two major reasons as to why Jose Fortes says with clarity that this transfer is impossible.
1st: Healthy On-Field and Financial Position
Firstly, the timing. Ryan Gravenberch is in his first breakthrough season and on the cusp of winning the Premier League Title.
To think that Liverpool would even consider letting him go this summer is absurd.
Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Liverpool do not sell our players for financial motivations at the cost of on-field performance.
This is not 2014. Liverpool are in an exceptionally strong position both on and off the field due to the excellent running of the club by FSG.
Some have their issues with the ownership but the facts are difficult to argue with. Since their takeover, Liverpool have developed immensely as a Footballing Institution.
Anfield has been modernized, the club is playing Champions League football and is regularly competing for the highest honours in the sport.
Managerial recruitment has been second to none. From the appointment of Jurgen Klopp to more recently Arne Slot. That also goes for the players.
2nd: Immense Transfer Fee Required
Ryan Gravenberch is 22 years old. For him to be playing at the level he currently is at his young age is remarkable. To think of his potential long-term standing in the game, the sky is truly the limit.
Considering what Chelsea paid for someone like Moises Caicedo, a fee estimated in the region of £115 million. A player who was unproven at the highest level at that time let it be clear.
It is difficult to comprehend the sum Liverpool would demand for a player of Gravenberch’s calibre.
£120-150 million would be a low estimate for a versatile, technical and physically adept midfielder of his age profile.
Even for a club of Real Madrid’s stature, that is not realistic. With their recent approach of targeting players near the end of their contracts, just like Kylian Mbappe, David Alaba and of course Trent Alexander-Arnold.
A reminder: We beat them comfortably 2-0 this season
How sweet would it be to draw them again next season. To remind the world yet again, the level that Liverpool Football Club operates at.
In the mean time we will continue to back our players, manager and staff.
From one major trophy to another. Onwards and upwards for the Reds, as Ryan Gravenberch continues to excel at the heart of Arne Slot’s midfield and prove his ability for all to see.
Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere.
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