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Can Arne Slot Lead Liverpool to Premier League Glory with Ryan Gravenberch in the Midfield?

Liverpool’s new era under Arne Slot has begun on a positive note, with the Reds sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League table following their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolves. Slot’s early success is impressive, especially considering the shoes he had to fill after Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Anfield. While Klopp left behind a solid foundation, Slot has quickly added his own touch, instilling calmness and focus, which has driven the team to the summit of English football.

However, questions remain about the squad, particularly the midfield setup. Ryan Gravenberch, who has stepped into the holding midfield role, has been a standout performer. But can Slot guide Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League success with Gravenberch at the heart of the midfield? Former player and pundit Owen Hargreaves isn’t convinced.

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Liverpool’s Summer Transfer Concerns

Heading into the summer transfer window, Liverpool fans were hoping for significant reinforcements, particularly in midfield. The departure of Fabinho left a glaring hole in the squad’s defensive midfield position, and while the club made several late signings, including Wataru Endo, the feeling among fans was that the business was insufficient.

One major miss was the failed pursuit of Martín Zubimendi. Fresh off winning Euro 2024 with Spain, Zubimendi was seen as the ideal addition to Liverpool’s midfield, but the 25-year-old chose to remain at Real Sociedad, leaving Liverpool scrambling for alternatives. The acquisition of Endo has yet to have the desired impact, with the Japanese international failing to cement a starting spot under Slot.

Instead, Ryan Gravenberch has emerged as the unexpected solution in the number six role. The Dutch midfielder, who was previously on the fringes at Bayern Munich, has flourished under Slot, even earning Man of the Match honours against Wolves. Yet, as Hargreaves pointed out, Gravenberch’s long-term suitability for the role remains up for debate.

Owen Hargreaves’ Concerns About Gravenberch

Owen Hargreaves, a former Bayern Munich midfielder, knows Gravenberch’s game well and is full of praise for the young Dutchman’s performances so far this season. “He has done brilliantly well,” Hargreaves said on Premier League Productions, before adding that he “loves what he is doing” on the pitch. However, Hargreaves doesn’t believe that Liverpool can win the Premier League or Champions League with Gravenberch playing as a number six.

“He is 190cm. He is 22 years old. He has got everything,” said Hargreaves, but the pundit emphasised that Gravenberch is not a “specialist defensive midfield player”. Drawing comparisons to Fabinho and Manchester City’s Rodri, Hargreaves argued that in big games, teams need a true holding midfielder to shield the defence. He concluded, “I still think they will address this position,” hinting that Liverpool might still need to dip into the transfer market for a more natural defensive midfielder.

Gravenberch’s Revival at Liverpool

Gravenberch’s resurgence under Arne Slot is a testament to the manager’s faith in him. After a challenging spell at Bayern Munich, where he struggled to make an impact, many were quick to write off the talented midfielder. However, since his move to Anfield, the 22-year-old has steadily grown into his role, proving his doubters wrong.

During his time at Ajax, Gravenberch was widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest midfield prospects, but his move to Germany did not pan out as expected. At Liverpool, it initially looked as though he would face similar struggles, with limited game time and unconvincing performances. But Slot has found a way to unlock Gravenberch’s potential, deploying him in a deeper role and allowing him to showcase his box-to-box abilities.

Despite Hargreaves’ concerns, Gravenberch’s performances thus far suggest that he is more than capable of handling the demands of the Premier League. However, the true test of his abilities will come when Liverpool face sterner opposition in both domestic and European competitions.

Can Slot Win the Premier League with Gravenberch?

The question now is whether Arne Slot can guide Liverpool to Premier League glory with Gravenberch as his midfield anchor. Hargreaves remains sceptical, but it’s worth noting that Klopp’s early years at Anfield were filled with similar questions about personnel and tactics. Football is often about trust, and Slot appears to have immense faith in Gravenberch to grow into the role.

As it stands, Gravenberch has done everything asked of him and more. His performances have been composed, intelligent, and increasingly influential. Yet, as Hargreaves pointed out, the bigger challenges are yet to come. Liverpool may still need to strengthen their midfield, but for now, Gravenberch is proving to be a vital cog in Slot’s machine.

In conclusion, while doubts remain about Gravenberch’s long-term suitability as a number six, his recent performances under Slot have silenced many critics. Whether or not Liverpool can win the Premier League with him in that position remains to be seen, but for now, the Reds are flying high under their new manager, and Gravenberch is at the heart of it.