Liverpool’s midfield has been a key reason behind the Reds’ fantastic early form this season.
It has been a turbulent couple of years in the middle of the pitch for Liverpool, with an overhaul in the summer of 2023 starting to really bear fruit.
Last year was very much a bedding in campaign, as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch tried to find their feet within the Liverpool squad.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai initially settled the better, with Endo coming into his own a little later on.
For Gravenberch, though, things were a bit more difficult. The Dutchman showed glimpses of what he can bring to the Liverpool team but never on a consistent basis.
After claims that Gravenberch could have been sold over the summer, though, the 22-year-old has come back in ridiculously good form. And it is not going unnoticed.
Gabriel Agbonlahor praises Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch picked up another man of the match award for his display against Wolves on Saturday.
It was perhaps not one of his more eye-catching performances of the season so far and Ibrahima Konate felt the award should have gone his way instead, but Gravenberch still did well at Molineux.
That the No.38 has missed just one minute of Premier League action so far this season tells you everything you need to know about his new found importance in the Liverpool squad.
And speaking on TalkSPORT, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor raved about Gravenberch’s display at Wolves, naming him as one of the top three Premier League midfielders this season.
“I think apart from one game, he has been Man of the Match all season,” says Agbonlahor. “He has been outstanding.
“He didn’t get much game time under Klopp, but this season under Slot, he has had a lot of game time.
“He has got strength, he has got aggression, he has got pace, he has got skill, he has got running with the ball, he’s a unit, he has got the size for set pieces as well if needed.
For me, he is an outstanding midfielder,” adds the former England international. “And I am putting him in there as top three midfielders so far this season.
“An outstanding talent and just shows how strong Liverpool are in that department.”
Will Ryan Gravenberch start against Bologna?
In this busy period, Liverpool do not have to wait long before they’re back in action again.
Having played on Saturday evening in the West Midlands, the Reds are back at home on Wednesday as Bologna visit Anfield in the Champions League.
After an excellent start to their campaign in Europe two weeks ago, Liverpool will be looking to back that up and make it two wins from two against Italian opposition.
With respect to Bologna, though, they are not at the level of AC Milan. The Rossoblu currently find themselves 13th in the Serie A table. For reference, Milan are up in third.
As a result, we think Arne Slot will tinker with his side a little. With a trip to Crystal Palace coming on Saturday lunchtime, we think Gravenberch may well drop to the bench for Wednesday.
