Ryan Gravenberch was a revelation for Liverpool last season.
After the Reds failed to sign Martin Zubimendi, manager Arne Slot tasked his compatriot with anchoring the midfield in what was an unfamiliar position for the former Bayern Munich man. It is safe to say it was a success. The Dutch international was named the Young Player of the Season and found his exploits in the middle third earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
After years of purgatory, he’d found a home in the side. The Premier League champions spent over £400million during the summer transfer window, addressing every area of the team apart from midfield. The Reds seemed content with their options in the middle third. It had worked last season, so, same again this time around?
Perhaps it should’ve been, but Slot had other ideas.
From fixed six to floating eight
It was apparent early on in the season that Gravenberch’s role has been tweaked and he confirmed it during his post-match interview with TNT Sports following the win over Everton.
“This season, we have more freedom in the midfield. Last season, I was only on the six, like deep, deep. Now I can go more forward, which you saw today. My strength is also there. I’m happy with that and also happy with the goal. Last season, I think I didn’t even score. So, of course this season I want more goals and assists. I’m really happy with today.”
Evolution is the norm in football. You adapt or you perish. But there’s a fine line between evolving as a player and completely changing what you do. Gravenberch hasn’t simply added to his game this term. He’s a different player entirely and it doesn’t necessarily benefit Liverpool.
The 23-year-old was hooked at half-time during the loss to Wolves on Tuesday evening. The No38 lost all six of his duels in the opening 45 minutes, committed four fouls and picked up a booking. He did complete 90% of his attempted passes but he failed to attempt a single dribble. He’s always been more of a carrier than a passer. The hosts nullified him on the ball and bypassed him out of possession.
Presence without penetration
With Slot changing Gravenberch’s role this season, the midfielder has suffered.
On a per 90 basis, he’s having more touches and attempted more passes. He is, however, attempting fewer take-ons. He’s also regaining fewer possessions in the defensive third. As seen in his heapmaps, he’s a lot more involved in the ball on the right side of the middle third, a position that would’ve been occupied by a certain Trent Alexander-Arnold last season. With the maverick right-back now in Madrid, there’s more of an onus on the 24-cap international to do something in possession.
With him picking the ball up more on the right, he’s not able to wriggle free from opponents as frequently. Everything is a little more predictable now that the shape of the build-up has been changed. Liverpool lost their identity and Gravenberch lost his role in the team. He’s still in the XI but he’s no longer the anchor. He’s just part of a fluid midfield three that doesn’t necessarily play to his strengths.
The radar gives a good snapshot into this. Last season, it was all about ball retention and ball progression via a take-on. Liverpool played to his strengths and he thrived. It’s no coincidence.
Solving a problem that didn’t exist
This term, it’s a little different. As discussed above, on-ball involvement is up but take-ons are down. Tackles are down but tackle success is up. The former metric is down as he’s no longer situated in one position and isn’t able to tackle as often. It leaves them, as a team, more exposed. Shots are up, as are chances created. All metrics that, in the grand scheme of things, don’t matter.
Instead of focusing on being the best in one role, he’s now having to do a bit of everything while thriving at nothing. This is, of course, by design. But why has Slot taken one of the many success stories from last season and turned it into an issue. The Reds already had enough to fix ahead of the campaign with so many fresh faces to bed in without having to figure out what Gravenberch now is and how they’re going to be able to get the best out of him.
Through no fault of his own, Gravenberch went from being one of the best in his position to, once again, being in positional purgatory.
