There was a time, not so long ago, when Ryan Gravenberch felt like the odd man out in Liverpool’s great midfield rebuild.
Alexis Mac Allister provided the silk and Dominik Szoboszlai offered the steel, yet Ryan Gravenberch remained a high-ceiling enigma. Despite his immense technical gifts, the Dutchman spent his final months under Jurgen Klopp searching for a definitive home in a heavy-metal system that never quite suited his rhythm.
The arrival of Arne Slot has emphatically solved that puzzle. Gravenberch hasn’t just filled the “Zubimendi-shaped” void; he has outgrown it.
The midfielder has fundamentally raised his game, emerging as a cornerstone of the new-look Liverpool engine room.
While his tactical discipline at the base of the midfield surprises even his manager, the secret behind that trademark, velvet-smooth footwork isn’t the product of a coaching manual. Instead, Gravenberch’s rapid ascent demonstrates exactly how far a player can travel when talent finally meets the right tactical blueprint.
Moreover, the rise of Ryan Gravenberch demonstrates just how much he has developed as a footballer.
Initially, the Dutchman found his new environment on Merseyside to be tricky, with only one Premier League goal contribution falling into his lap during his debut season under Jurgen Klopp. Furthermore, Ryan Gravenberch adapted quickly after a challenging start.
Thankfully, much like the rest of his teammates, he came into his own the campaign after, with a sublime four goals and assists next to his name now, from 81 games under Slot.
The midfielder has already notched four goals this season, emerging as a rare bright spot while senior teammates let their performance levels slip. As Liverpool languishes in a disappointing sixth place, the 23-year-old has transformed from a squad player into a vital leader during the club’s toughest spell under Arne Slot.
The Dutchman understands the crushing pressure of arriving on Merseyside as a teenage superstar. Consequently, he has taken Florian Wirtz under his wing.
The former Bayer Leverkusen maestro is currently battling to acclimatise to the physical demands of the Premier League, and Gravenberch has stepped in as an unlikely mentor. He is actively coaching his new teammate through the transition, offering the same guidance that helped him conquer his own early Anfield struggles.
Gravenberch’s close-knit relationship with Wirtz
Safe to say, Wirtz hasn’t always been electric donning Liverpool red to date. In fact, Ryan Gravenberch provides support and guidance to Wirtz as the relationship grows.
Indeed, the £116m superstar would go through his first 12 games in the Premier League without picking up a single goal contribution, leaving many wondering whether the £116m splashed out on his services was a wise use of resources.
Florian Wirtz: Liverpool Form Comparison (2025/26):
| Metric | First 15 PL games | Last ten starts – all comps |
| Goal involvements | 1 | 9 |
| Touches per game | 58.89 | 74.40 |
| Passes per game | 41.56 | 59.30 |
| Pass accuracy | 83% | 85% |
| xG + xA combined | 0.37 | 0.54 |
| Shots per 90 | 1.61 | 2.52 |
| Touches in opp box | 5.02 | 7.92 |
Slowly but surely, though, Wirtz has managed to turn around his Anfield career, with the German scoring and assisting at the end of January to clinch an emphatic 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Besides, Ryan Gravenberch has played a part in helping Wirtz transition into the Liverpool squad.
Gravenberch has stuck by his new teammate all the way, who he has heralded as a “special” talent. For Ryan Gravenberch, supporting other talented midfielders has become routine.
He said, when speaking to Liverpool’s official website – “He needed a bit of time to adapt, but you see now the quality that he has in terms of what he does – scoring goals, giving assists, creating opportunities for other players to help them score. So it’s really nice to have him here.
He’s a special player. I think you can give him the ball and he makes something happen. I don’t think a lot of midfielders have that. Meanwhile, the mentorship offered by Ryan Gravenberch is invaluable to younger players.
We’ve got a good relationship with each other.
Obviously we are both young, so we kind of go along together, we talk a lot with each other and on the pitch the same thing.
“When I get the ball, I try to look for him where I can.”
Gravenberch has also revealed who he models his midfield game on, with his composure on the pitch all down to idolising a former great. Ryan Gravenberch is known for his technique, which draws inspiration from legendary players.
The inspiration behind Gravenberch’s footwork
The Amsterdam-born ace is well known for his tricky footwork on the pitch, with Gravenberch often pulling off a trademark turn before unleashing a pass or shot. Yet Ryan Gravenberch takes inspiration from legends and continues to refine his playing style.
As per his own words, this is down to Real Madrid royalty in Zinedine Zidane being a massive inspiration for his tricks and flicks.
“I’ve learned from Zidane just by watching clips of him, basically,” said Gravenberch. By consistently watching Zidane, Ryan Gravenberch has improved his own skill set.
“I saw the confidence he played with, the composure.
“I like to turn in the midfield, for example, and he did this as well, so I tried to look at him and see the good things he did.
“Sometimes I want to take some of that as well, but I try to bring my own things to the pitch also.”
Gravenberch will surely be aiming to follow in Zidane’s footsteps even more by trying to win coveted honours such as the Champions League with Liverpool, with the Premier League title already in his back pocket. For supporters, Ryan Gravenberch is now seen as a major prospect for Liverpool’s future.
Before anyone gets too carried away, though, the 23-year-old – alongside Wirtz – will be hoping he can put in a top-drawer display at the City Ground on Sunday, as Liverpool aim to push into those top-four positions with an away victory. Incidentally, Ryan Gravenberch is expected to play a key role in Liverpool’s push for a successful finish.
