Liverpool star has been named as Liverpool’s most important player of the season so far by an Anfield great
Ryan Gravenberch has been named as Liverpool’s most important player of the season so far by Steve Nicol. And the Anfield legend believes the Premier League leaders would not be in top spot without the in-form Netherlands international.
The Reds tried to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window and looked as though they were on course to land him by triggering his £51m buyout clause. However, the Spain international had a change of heart and chose to remain with his boyhood club.
That decision meant Gravenberch has been used as the deepest-lying midfielder under Arne Slot so far and the former Bayern Munich youngster has been a revelation in the engine room, playing all 11 games in league to date as Liverpool have sailed five points clear of Manchester City at the summit.
As a result Nicol, who won four leagues titles, three FA Cups and the 1984 European Cup at Anfield, has earmed Gravenberch as the most influential component of Slot’s side this term.
“It’s the importance that he’s (had),” Nicol told ESPN. “I mean, we’re basically looking at a team who looked as though they had absolutely a big hole in the middle of the park that had to be filled.
“They tried to make a couple of signings in that particular area, didn’t work out and so Gravenberch started.
“Absolutely I would argue that, without Gravenberch, Liverpool might not be top of the league, let me put it that way, how important he’s been.
“No, I thought it was dead simple really (to pick Gravenberch as Liverpool’s best player so far). I thought it was straightforward.”
The Reds return to action on Sunday away to Premier League basement boys Southampton.
