Ryan Gravenberch could be Liverpool's surprise solution to the number six dilemma

Many fans and pundits expected Liverpool to finally sign a number six during this summer after last summer’s drama. Liverpool allowed the departure of many players who served the club under Jurgen Klopp in a midfield revamp last summer.

However, their chase of Romeo Lavia and later Moises Caicedo suffered a failure in front of Chelsea’s compunction to spend. Liverpool signed Wataru Endo to bolster their squad and the inspiring signing produced impressive performances last season for the club.

However, the Reds need a proper replacement for the position that Fabinho once occupied for them and shielded the defence. The failure to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer made fans relive the nightmare of failed long sagas from previous summers.

Nevertheless, someone with Zubimendi’s quality is the only way to breach Liverpool’s formidable squad if they seek alternatives. Some fans justifiably express annoyance at the Reds for not earmarking alternatives. They need to understand that the market is lacking defensive midfielders who are available and have the same high profile.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has deployed Ryan Gravenberch against Sevilla in the last pre-season friendly and against Ipswich Town. Gravenberch delivered strong performances from the number six position where he played for his first club Ajax before moving on.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Gravenberch addressed his role under Slot while expressing that he has enjoyed playing in that position. He said:

“I had a little chat with him [Slot] and he said I have to focus on the No.6 and No.8 positions. Now I play at No.6. In the past I played it as well so I know what I have to do. I’ve enjoyed playing there. It’s a little bit of a different system than we played last season, but I think everyone has adapted to it. Now we have to build it further and further. I think at the end we can be a really dominant team.”

The 22-year-old could save Liverpool a lot of money by establishing himself as a regular number six at the club. Gravenberch has the height, physique and qualities at a very young age for Slot to mould him in that role.

Ryan Gravenberch is enjoying a return to a deeper-lying role in midfield, detailing his conversations about the position with head coach Arne Slot ⤵️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 24, 2024

The Dutchman has displayed an incredible ability to manoeuvre out of tight spaces, make half-turns and dictate the tempo. Slot’s tactics depend on calmness and negating risk factors which could diminish the weaknesses in Gravenberch’s game.

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Liverpool left a lot of space in midfield last season which will not happen as the team narrows the width in the new tactics. Gravenberch could prove a lot of naysayers wrong under Slot within the new system that fits the player of his profile.