‘I think he’s better than him’: Liverpool legend says Gravenberch SURPASSES Champions League winner

One thing that will always be remembered from the Jurgen Klopp era – amongst many things – is the talent and doggedness of the midfield trios that the German assembled.

Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner were the infamous triplet that started the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid. Fabinho replaced Milner for the 2019 success over Tottenham, and Thiago Alcantara replaced Wijnaldum for the 2022 heartbreak again to Madrid.

As a result, his leaving of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to new manager Arne Slot is looking like an ever-increasing special leaving lift. 

Read more: Arne Slot delivers his VERDICT on the season so far

Liverpool’s next Dutch maestro?

It is Gravenberch in particular who has turned heads in this early season, drawing comparisons to Wijnaldum from those world-beating midfields of a few years ago. However, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson doesn’t think those comparisons are fair.

“I don’t just think Ryan Gravenberch is Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum replacement – I think he’s better than him.” said Lawrenson speaking to SportingCasting.

“Wijnaldum was a really good player for Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp, but I think Gravenberch has got a little burst of pace and more attacking qualities that Gini didn’t have.” Lawrenson continued, 

And a look at the underlying numbers gives credence to Lawrenson’s case. Gravenberch’s 3 progressive carries per-90 so far this season beats anything Wijnaldum managed (2.27 per-90 highest in 2019-20), as do his 7.17 progressive passes per-90 against Gini’s 5.54 highest in 2018-19. Whilst Gravenberch’s shot creating actions per 90 sit lower than Wijnaldum’s did in his stint at Liverpool, the current Liverpool player outranks his former compatriot in goal creation actions, 0.5 per-90 to Wijnaldum’s 0.21 highest in 2020-21.

Gravenberch is also doing much more defensively than Wijnaldum’s role demanded of him. Gravenberch commits 2.5 tackles per-90 at the minute, whilst Wijnaldum’s highest reached 1.36 (2018-19). Gravenberch’s Tackle + Interception rate of 4.17 per-90 is almost double that of Gini’s highest 2.23 in 2017-18.

In just taking a overarching look at the profiles that the two cut, Lawrenson has a point. He contributes to the attack and build-up play more actively than Wijnaldum ever managed whilst also anchoring the entire midfield with a high rate in key defensive actions.

Gravenberch vs Wolves pic.twitter.com/JVgFPFCL6c

— 1947prod. (@1947prod) September 28, 2024

Lawrenson’s praise didn’t stop there. “He looks a really classy player at the moment and compliments Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai really well.” he carried on, “All three midfielders have started the campaign very promisingly, which is great to see. I don’t think there’s a better midfield trio in the league at the moment.”

The last statement is an incredibly bold claim given the calibre of midfielders that the Premier League houses at the moment. However, with Liverpool top of the league and the improvements in level seen particularly by Gravenberch and Mac Allister, it’s a claim that might just ring true.

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Thomas Clark

I’m Thomas Clark, from the ever-sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. At 47, my life’s not your usual nine-to-five grind; I’m the voice behind the screen at FC Soccer News. My days are a mix of passion and professionalism as I weave words for the love of the game. University of Arizona’s where I honed my skills, but the real education came from the hours spent in local cafes, my eyes glued to my laptop, and my mind playing the field.

Soccer’s not just my beat—it’s the rhythm to my life. I analyze plays with a tactical mind and share insights that cut through the noise. Outside work, my appetite for adventure is as strong as a striker’s kick. The chef in me loves experimenting in the kitchen, and when the hiking trails call my name, I answer with boots laced tight. I’ve got music in my bones, and you’ll often find me lost in the melodies of a well-strummed guitar.

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