Liverpool were relatively quiet in the summer transfer window as Arne Slot was left with a high quality squad at Anfield.
Arne Slot is blessed with a large number of attacking options, but that didn’t stop Liverpool from bringing in Federico Chiesa in the summer.
Liverpool are pretty stocked in most areas apart from the middle of midfield, hence the move to sign Martin Zubimendi.
Curtis Jones is making his way back from injury and should be fit to face Nottingham Forest, which gives the Reds an extra body in midfield areas.
However, one disappointment is that the versatile Harvey Elliott is now set for an extended period out on the sidelines after fracturing his foot.
It will be difficult for anyone to break into the current midfield three, with one of the Reds’ regular starters receiving big praise on ESPN…
ESPN pundit says Liverpool ‘kid’ will surprise everyone this season
Dominik Szoboszlai was praised for his performances at Euro 2024 and he’s carried that form into the Premier League season, with a couple of assists to his name already.
However, it’s one of his midfield partners who has been getting the praise recently.
When speaking on ESPN FC’s YouTube channel, Mario Melchiot made an interesting point on Ryan Gravenberch.
“Definitely (on being the surprise of the season), I mean for the last two games, let’s just highlight the last two games. The one he played for Liverpool his last game and the one he played for the Netherlands.
“I think definitely understand he’s in a good run, I just want to take it easy because the kid is just you know, he just got to England. And I think last season was kind of up and down for him.”
He later said.
“He gets the chance to go to Liverpool now, he’s with a Dutch coach, and the way the Dutch coach wants to play is the position he plays is the connection between the midfield and the defensive line.
“That’s when he can open up things. Can he do that and keep on building on that? Yeah, this is definitely going to be a big surprise for the people in England.”
How good has Rafael van der Vaart been saying about Gravenberch?
Interestingly, former Premier League star Rafael van der Vaart has stood by his claim that Gravenberch is a better player than Jude Bellingham.
He stated.
“What I think is the big difference (between the two players); Bellingham is a step lower at a club and always plays,” Van der Vaart said. “I think Gravenberch is better than him, in every way. Especially physically.
“Do you know what is most important when you go to a new club? The first two weeks. You have to show in every training session, every training game that you are a justified purchase.
“It would actually be good for Gravenberch to go on loan to Ajax again. You just have to start playing football.”
