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Remarkable Ryan Gravenberch FACT should be shouted from the rooftops

Remarkable Ryan Gravenberch FACT should be shouted from the rooftops
Remarkable Ryan Gravenberch FACT should be shouted from the rooftops

Ryan Gravenberch is in the form of his life for Liverpool but are we talking about his biggest trait enough? We're not so sure.

Ryan Gravenberch couldn't really be playing much better than he is right now. The Dutchman is making statements with his performances and earning plaudits in the shape of awards.

It's all pretty remarkable, given that Gravenberch wasn't considered a key player for Liverpool when the season kicked off. In fact, his role was supposed to go to Martin Zubimendi.

He actually owes the Spaniard quite a lot for preferring the mountains in the Basque Country to Liverpool.

But that isn't the most remarkable thing about Gravenberch this season. In fact, we don't think it's being talked about nearly enough.

For as good as Gravenberch is, this shouldn't be anywhere near his peak.

Ryan Gravenberch is a youth player

The fact is, Gravenberch is still just 22. He's not far removed from being an Under 21 player for the Netherlands and he's actually quite a bit younger than Vitezslav Jaros - the up-and-coming goalkeeper who just made his debut for Liverpool on Saturday.

Last December, we wrote that Gravenberch shouldn't be judged too harshly after a disappointing display on Boxing Day. After all, he's just a young player and inconsistency is going to naturally happen.

Well, it works the other way, too. Gravenberch is displaying incredible consistency right now. He's essentially in the running for Liverpool's best player every single week.

His pass completion has jumped from 82% to 89% - and it's not simply because of more short passes. Gravenberch actually attempts more short, medium and long passes per 90 this season (per Fbref). He's doubled the number of tackles he wins, and finds himself dribbled a lot less (winning 66% vs dribblers, compared to 44% last season). There are 14 more carries per 90, he's receiving 20 more passes per 90...

You get the picture - it's all improving.

The composure, quality and consistency with which he plays is fantastic and absolutely not what you expect from a 22-year-old. Especially a 22-year-old playing a new role.

By the end of the campaign, we expect Gravenberch to be truly exceptional as a 'no.6'. But in three or four years? We should be looking at an absolute world-beater. This isn't, after all, a role that young players excel at - it's become one for experienced, elite midfielders at top clubs.

What Gravenberch is doing right now is brilliant. What he could be doing in years' time is what's truly remarkable and should have Liverpool fans salivating.

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