Owen Hargreaves has praised Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch for seizing his chance under Arne Slot, but explained that the Reds will struggle to win the Premier League or Champions League without a specialist defensive midfielder.
Liverpool have had a great start to the season and sit at the top of the Premier League with 15 points from their opening six games, one point ahead of second and third placed Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.
Much has been made of Liverpool’s failure to sign an outfield player this summer, but their start to the season suggests that may not be a problem.
Hargreaves praises Gravenberch
One of Liverpool’s best players this season has been Gravenberch, who has impressed in midfield for the Reds.
Slot’s men were looking to sign a defensive midfielder this summer but missed out on Martin Zubimendi as he opted to stay at Real Madrid.
Gravenberch has operated as the Reds’ deepest midfielder this season and while he has done well, Hargreaves believes Liverpool will not challenge for major trophies unless they sign a specialist defensive midfielder.
“He’s 190cm, he’s 22, he’s got everything, but he’s not a specialist defensive midfielder, there’s a difference,” he told Premier League Productions, as quoted by The Daily Mail
“I think he’s a brilliant midfielder, he’s a box-to-box player, depending on who you play. But I think that in a big game, in a specific game, to win the Premier League or the Champions League, I think you need a specialist. Liverpool showed that with Fabinho or Manchester City showed it with Rodri.
“I still think they’re going to address that position. But credit Gravenberch, he’s taken his chance and that’s all you need.
“That’s what you need as a player, you need someone who trusts you and he has shown that. I still think there will be tougher tests to come. I love what he’s doing, but I still think they’re going to find somebody.”
The position is clearly Gravenberch’s to lose right now and if it continues as it is he may change Liverpool’s mind about entering the market but they were interested in Zubimendi for a reason and hopefully they will address this area in January or the next summer
