Ryan Gravenberch’s Form: Is Fatigue Catching Up? | OneFootball

Ryan Gravenberch: A Deep Dive into His Recent Form at Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch, the talented Dutch midfielder, has been a focal point of discussions among Liverpool fans and analysts. In a recent episode of the Stat Me Up podcast, Phil Barter and Dave Davis dissected his performance and stats, providing a comprehensive analysis of Gravenberch’s role and contributions. Their observations offer crucial insights into his form and what it might mean for Liverpool’s midfield dynamics as the season progresses.

Evaluating Gravenberch’s Recent Performance

Phil Barter and Dave Davis highlighted several aspects of Gravenberch’s performance that have raised eyebrows. A significant observation was that despite Liverpool’s dominance in possession, Gravenberch’s numbers fell short of expectations.

Barter noted, “He didn’t compete for any aerial duels, lost both ground duels, and his carries, which are usually a strong point, were only 29% effective in the final third.” Such figures suggest a dip in his typically reliable ball-carrying ability. Even in his passing, usually a dependable facet of his game, the stats revealed gaps.

“He made just five final-third passes, with only one being progressive,” Barter added, highlighting the need for improvement in how Gravenberch contributes to advancing play.

Positional Concerns and Tactical Impact

One recurring issue discussed in the podcast was Gravenberch’s positioning. Both Barter and Davis noted that he often found himself too high up the pitch, potentially disrupting Liverpool’s build-up play. “Gravenberch is almost in an area of blocking because he brings a player in, which closes the passing lane from our centre-halves to the front players,” Barter explained.

This positional misalignment not only hampers Liverpool’s ball progression but also places additional pressure on other midfielders to adapt. With Arne Slot beginning to rely on tactical adjustments, the team may need to find a balance to accommodate Gravenberch’s skillset more effectively.

The Role of Opportunity and Fatigue

Barter also touched on the concept of opportunity in Gravenberch’s defensive metrics. “If the opposition has only one shot on target and four shots total, it’s difficult for someone like Gravenberch to make a significant defensive impact,” he stated. While this caveat is valid, it doesn’t fully excuse the drop in his defensive duels and overall influence.

Fatigue might also be playing a role. Davis observed, “The minutes have ticked up, and we’re seeing a downturn in certain metrics.” As Liverpool navigate a congested fixture list, managing Gravenberch’s workload will be key to keeping him effective on the pitch.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Gravenberch?

The podcast concluded with a discussion on the importance of rotation, particularly with the emergence of players like Endo. Davis remarked, “It might have taken a dip in form for Slot to start trusting Endo in more meaningful minutes, but it’s a good place to be if he’s learning.” This comment underscores the growing need for squad depth and tactical flexibility.

While Gravenberch’s recent performances have drawn mixed reviews, there is hope that with better positional discipline and managed minutes, he can regain his best form. As Barter aptly summarised, “It wasn’t his best game, but some of that might be down to opportunity. The numbers are ticking up, and there’s still time to adjust.”

Conclusion

Ryan Gravenberch remains an integral part of Liverpool’s midfield puzzle. Despite a few underwhelming performances, the insights shared by Phil Barter and Dave Davis in the Stat Me Up podcast highlight areas for improvement and optimism. With the right adjustments and support, Gravenberch has the potential to become a central figure in Arne Slot’s evolving tactical setup.