When Liverpool signed Ryan Gravenberch, the buzz was that he’d add flair in the middle of the park. What nobody quite expected was Arne Slot reinventing him into a deep-lying maestro. Now, at the dawn of the 2025-26 season, he isn’t just holding his own—he’s bending the Premier League to his rhythm.
Ryan Gravenberch and the Turf Moor Masterclass
Burnley fans probably thought they were coming for pies and football. What they got instead was a midfield clinic, choreographed by Ryan Gravenberch. He didn’t just play passes—he conducted. Scooping the ball over opponents, twisting out of tight presses, recycling possession with an almost smug elegance—this wasn’t necessity. It was art for art’s sake. Liverpool supporters lapped it up. Burnley supporters? Not so much.
Ryan Gravenberch Compared to the Best
Manchester City boast Rodri, Arsenal cling to Declan Rice, Chelsea shelled out fortunes for Caicedo. But here’s the kicker: Gravenberch is only 23, and you wouldn’t trade him for any of them. His technical gifts are matched only by his composure. Liverpool defenders happily fire the ball into his feet, even with his back to goal, because they know he’ll wriggle free like Houdini in football boots.
Ryan Gravenberch and Slot’s Vision
Arne Slot needed a midfielder who could carry his high-possession style without breaking a sweat. Enter Gravenberch: the one player who makes Alexis Mac Allister, Dom Szoboszlai, and Curtis Jones fight over scraps beside him. His name is inked on the teamsheet in permanent marker.
Author’s Opinion: Gravenberch Is Irreplaceable
Here’s my blunt take: the only thing that can stop this kid is injury. Lose him, and Liverpool are scrambling. Much like Virgil van Dijk at his peak, he’s simply irreplaceable. And that, my friends, is the mark of a phenomenal player.
So if you’re wondering whether Ryan Gravenberch is hype or substance, just ask the Burnley midfield still chasing shadows.
