From Bayern Struggles to Premier League Star: The Journey of Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch had a tough time at Bayern Munich, where he struggled to secure consistent playing time during his one season, appearing 33 times before moving on. Despite this rocky period, he bounced back in the Premier League, earning recognition as one of the best midfielders during Liverpool's 2024-25 title-winning campaign.
Early Promise at Ajax
Gravenberch emerged from the renowned Ajax academy, making history as their youngest ever Eredivisie debutant at just 16 years and 130 days. This strong foundation set high expectations for his future.
Transition to Liverpool and Impact
Upon joining Liverpool, the Dutch midfielder was viewed as a top prospect needing the right environment to thrive. Though Jurgen Klopp couldn’t fully unlock his potential, manager Arne Slot guided him to become a vital part of the squad, missing only one league game in their championship-winning season.
Recent Form and Team Dynamics
Gravenberch remained a regular starter last season, but Liverpool’s overall performance declined, finishing fifth without any trophies. Questions arose about whether he was being deployed effectively, especially in a role that demands shielding the defense ahead of Virgil van Dijk.
Dietmar Hamann on Gravenberch’s Current Standing
"I think in between, probably a bit closer to where he was in the title-winning season," said former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann when asked about Gravenberch's current form. "He came to Munich, didn’t get much game time, missed out on the World Cup, then was sensational at Liverpool a couple of seasons ago."
Hamann also noted challenges last year, citing team tensions during the Mohamed Salah saga and struggles with new signings. He explained the importance of Gravenberch’s role in distributing the ball quickly to attacking players, who unfortunately often failed to capitalize on his passes. This led to criticism of Gravenberch’s impact when forwards like Cody Gakpo and Salah found scoring difficult.
"If you give them balls and they don’t do anything, people question what Gravenberch did," Hamann added. "But if goals start from his passes, credit goes to him. It’s always tricky to assess players in that position because it depends so much on those ahead of them."
Despite some off games, Hamann believes Gravenberch remains a powerful player with good vision and defensive awareness, essential for Liverpool’s hopes to return to their former glory.
Looking Ahead: 2026-27 Season
Gravenberch represented the Netherlands at the recent World Cup in North America. He started Liverpool's first match of the 2026-27 season away at Newcastle and made a substitute appearance in their 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest. With new coach Andoni Iraola still assessing his squad, Gravenberch could play a key role as Liverpool prepares to face newly-promoted Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
