Ryan Gravenberch playing for Liverpool in midfield
Ryan Gravenberch was one of the key pieces of Arne Slot’s Premier League title-winning Liverpool side, particularly after making the No. 6 position his own during an impressive campaign.
His ability to carry the ball, resist pressure and help Liverpool progress possession from deep made him an important part of Slot’s midfield. Gravenberch’s development in that role was one of the major positives of Liverpool’s title-winning season.
However, the arrival of Andoni Iraola has changed the picture.
Under the new Liverpool manager, Gravenberch is no longer guaranteed a starting position in midfield. Instead, he finds himself having to compete directly with Alexis Mac Allister for an important role in the team.
A Different Manager, A Different Demand
One of the realities of football is that a player’s status can change quickly when a new manager arrives.
Slot trusted Gravenberch to operate as the deepest midfielder, and the Dutchman responded by becoming an important part of Liverpool’s system.
Iraola, however, has his own tactical ideas and demands from his midfielders. That means previous performances and reputations cannot automatically guarantee a starting place.
Gravenberch now has to prove that he can adapt to Iraola’s demands just as he did under Slot.
Mac Allister Provides Serious Competition
The biggest challenge for Gravenberch is the continued importance of Alexis Mac Allister
The Argentine remains one of Liverpool’s most technically gifted midfielders and offers excellent passing, composure, defensive intelligence and the ability to control the tempo of a game.
That makes the competition between the two particularly interesting.
Rather than Gravenberch simply owning the No. 6 position, Iraola now has two midfielders capable of competing for significant minutes.
Mac Allister for Liverpool
This Could Benefit Liverpool
From Liverpool’s perspective, healthy competition is a positive.
Gravenberch has already shown that he can perform at the highest level in a deeper midfield role. Mac Allister has also demonstrated his importance to the team.
The challenge for both players is to consistently perform at the level Iraola demands.
For Gravenberch, this is not necessarily a step backwards. It could be another important stage in his development.
He has already reinvented himself under Slot. Now, he has another opportunity to demonstrate his versatility under Iraola.
The question is no longer whether Gravenberch can play as a No. 6.
The question is whether he can convince Iraola that he deserves to be the first name on the team sheet in that position.
And with Mac Allister pushing him every step of the way, Liverpool could have a fascinating midfield battle on their hands.
https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/dutch-media-van-dijk-gravenberch-34716102.amp
