Last season Ryan Gravenberch won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year. He was a key cog in the Arne Slot winning machine as Liverpool won the title.
At the start of this season he has been just as pivotal but has added goals to his game. He has become a growing influence in the build-up whilst being instrumental in the Reds’ work off the ball, in what some may call a Rodri-esque fashion.
Similarities on the ball
Rodri in 2023, when Manchester City won the treble, changed the game in terms of how we view a defensive midfielder, or “number 6”. Especially when his side had the ball.
Pep Guardiola’s teams are known for dominating possession and pushing teams back into their own third. This allowed the Spanish international to operate closer to the opposition box.
His heavy influence can be clearly seen when you look at his numbers. He averaged 93.4 touches per 90 whilst completing 75.4 passes per 90 (91% accuracy). With 41 of those being in the opposition half per 90 (90% accuracy).
Gravenberch has had a similar role for Arne Slot and his Liverpool side so far this season, despite the Reds having less of the ball than Man City in their treble-winning season. Gravenberch is still averaging 76 touches per 90 with 55.8 passes per 90 (88% accuracy), and 30.8 of them per 90 (88% accuracy) are coming in the opposition half.
These numbers highlight how Slot has been inspired by Rodri’s role as a 6 in a possession-dominant team. Both Rodri and Gravenberch were deployed higher up the pitch and were the heart of their teams. They were instrumental in keeping the ball moving, creating overloads, and creating space by taking up positions in advanced areas.
Another key aspect to note is that both midfielders have been progressive with these passes, often under pressure from opposition players. Their teammates will have been reliant on them for breaking the lines, creating chances from deep and even completing actions whilst taking minimal touches of the ball.
Similarities off the ball
Off-the-ball defensive midfielders have always been viewed as the players who do the “dirty work” or as ball winners.
Rodri in the 2022-23 season was outstanding at this. His concentration off the ball was vital, as opposition teams wouldn’t get many opportunities to have a go at Man City’s defence. Per 90, the Spanish international averaged 0.9 interceptions, 1.9 tackles, and 0.6 times possession won in the final third whilst only being dribbled past 0.7 times.
Gravenberch, who is still relatively new to the role, has very similar defensive output. Per 90, he averages 0.8 interceptions, 2 tackles, 0.3 times possession won in the opposition half and only gets dribbled past 0.8 times.
It’s clear to see that, off the ball, both players are exceptional and work incredibly hard to keep their sides on the front foot.
Guardiola relied heavily on Rodri in all facets of the game to ensure his side achieved success, and it’s no secret that Gravenberch has become that player for Slot. Manchester City won a treble that season, and after winning the league last season, Liverpool will no doubt look to build on that.
How can Ryan Gravenberch improve further?
Whilst the Dutchman is well on his way to becoming a Rodri-like figure and influence for the Reds, there are still improvements to be made.
His experience in the big games and moments will only grow as the season and indeed his career progress, which will help him define and change games in the same way Rodri has.
Aerial duels are a big weakness for the former Ajax man; improving on this will allow him to become a bigger threat physically in both boxes and help his side sustain pressure more.
One area he himself wanted to improve on and has already shown signs of doing so this season is goals; he failed to return last season, but this season has already netted twice. If he can add even more goals to his tally this season, he will become one of Europe’s premium midfielders.