Pundit gives STRONG Ryan Gravenberch WARNING to Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch has once again been the talk of Merseyside after another sublime performance against Wolves on Saturday.

The Dutchman was given the Sky Sports Man of the Match for his display at the Molineux.

The 22-year-old was the bright spark in a relatively dim Liverpool performance despite the Reds climbing to the summit of the Premier League.

READ MORE: Andy Robertson takes a dig at MOTM Ryan Gravenberch

Former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves is the latest pundit to applaud the midfielder.

Speaking on Premier League Productions the former England international heaped praise on Gravenberch but outlined that it is still a position he believes Liverpool need to strengthen with the Dutchman not being a natural number six.

“He has done brilliantly well, but he is not a defensive midfield player, which is fine because when you are playing teams like this. He’s 190cm, he’s 22 years old. He’s got everything. But he is not a specialist defensive midfield player,” he said.

Hargreaves went on to add that Liverpool still need a Fabinho-type of player in order to win the Premier League or the Champions League.

“There is a difference. I think he is a brilliant midfield player, box to box depending on who you play, but I think in a big game, in a one-off game to go and win the Premier League or the Champions League, I think you need a specialist.

“Liverpool showed that with Fabinho and City showed that with Rodri,” Hargreaves added.

Despite Liverpool’s relatively easy schedule thus far, with only one clash against a team that placed in the top half of last season, Gravenberch has up to this moment done everything that has been demanded of him and more.

Liverpool have failed to replace Fabinho

Ever since Fabinho left Liverpool for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in 2023, the Reds’ pursuit in replacing the Brazilian has been far from successful.

In Jurgen Klopp’s final summer window as Liverpool boss, the Anfield side saw both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia reject moves in favour of signing for Chelsea.

Fast forward a year, Arne Slot’s primary target for this summer was Martin Zubimendi. The Reds looked likely to strike a deal for that midfielder before the Spaniard opted to stay put at boyhood club Real Sociedad.

A true test of Gravenberch’s suitability to be Fabinho’s long-term replacement will be in the next two months as Liverpool prepare for clashes against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.

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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.

Away from the adrenaline of sports and the hum of daily life, my world orbits around my family. Dinner tables are our huddles, where laughter and stories bounce around like a well-played ball. Weekends are sacred—reserved for family bike rides and movie marathons, where I pass down my love for classics to my two bright kids. Parenthood’s more rewarding than any byline, and it’s taught me the true value of teamwork. My wife is my rock, my steady defender, offering unwavering support through every deadline and draft. Together, we’ve built a life that’s as dynamic as the games I cover—a blend of commitment, joy, and the unending chase of a story worth telling.