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Jurgen Klopp Praises ‘Exceptional’ Talent Ryan Gravenberch After Liverpool Signing

ByJoseph Agbobli

September 1, 2023

Jurgen Klopp is super excited by Ryan Gravenberch’s move to Liverpool from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day.

Gravenberch penned a long-term contract after completing his medical at the AXA Training Centre and will wear the No.38 shirt for the Reds.

The pursuit of the 21-year-old had been ongoing since the beginning of the summer transfer window, as Klopp sought to strengthen the midfield for the upcoming season.

Liverpool faced the departure of five senior midfielders, including Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who left Anfield for the Saudi Pro League. Additionally, James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed on free transfers.

Gravenberch’s journey to Liverpool began at the Ajax academy, where he made his debut in 2018 against PSV Eindhoven. He went on to feature in an impressive 103 games for the Dutch club, contributing 12 goals, before making a notable move to Bayern Munich for an initial fee of 18.5m euros.

During his previous season at Bayern, the versatile box-to-box midfielder encountered challenges securing consistent playing time, with only three starts and substitute appearances on his record.

Nonetheless, Gravenberch still managed to make 33 appearances across various competitions, contributing to two goals. This season, he has featured once, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-1 victory against Augsburg last Sunday.

“Really happy to bring him in because he’s an exceptional talent. Everybody knows that. He is 21, played over 100 games for Ajax already. Had a, I wouldn’t even say difficult season at Bayern because in that age group it’s completely normal; you go into a world-class team and he had his minutes and stuff like this,” Klopp said.

“But how Thomas Tuchel said today in the press conference in Munich I think, the position he is best at, they don’t really have in their system. We have that – that’s good. We have a lot of games to play. We will see how long he needs now because I don’t know, we need to have a look at that. He had a full pre-season, that’s good. The medical was as clear as it can be pretty much, looks really fit. That’s all positive.

“Unfortunately we have now an international break and cannot work directly together, he is I think with the U21s for Holland. But when he is back we start it. Very excited about it. He is a smart boy. When I talked to him I realised that pretty quickly. And he loves to be here, it’s a good thing as well.

“Good, really good. He came into my office with his girlfriend, very nice as well. A good couple. Very open. There is everything there what you need. Ryan knows he has to improve things but that’s with 21, it would be crazy if not. But he is super-talented, he can drive the ball, he can be really a box-to-box threat, he is going there.

“He has a good eye for a pass and a good pass. Really excited. It fits into our squad. I said before, we have a big challenge to reinvent pretty much one of the most successful midfields this club ever had, and I really like it. When I look now at the team, it’s a good football team, honestly. You can buy experienced players but experience you have to make together as a team and we will do that. Everything is good. We signed a really good player and now let’s help him to get the best out of him.

The German added: “Of course. Yeah, of course. We played him, obviously – I think the Ajax game was behind closed doors if I am right, that’s why the memories are not that great for the game.

“But, Ajax, OK in the moment they have to rebuild their team as well, but the team they had before with him, with [Frenkie] De Jong, with all these boys, that was a really, really good team and playing the way they play is great. But of course, the Premier League is a different league and we will see how long it takes but it is obviously a long-term project but he can help us in the short term as well. That’s good.”

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