At least he's with a Dutch manager who would have been familiar with him, seen his progression to date & prepared to stick with him for the foreseeable future.
Honestly have no idea why we bought him if he was never intended for DM.
We are overloaded in midfield.
Hopefully he will be able to adapt, but the first 11 is not obvious at this point. Id rather sell one midfielder to get a proper DM.
DM is the one position I never expected us to try and make him fit into tbf.
He looks to have the tools for it but for me he is a modern box to box CM or maybe a more attack minded number 8.
Think we need to bear in mind with him that he is still quite a young player having just turned 22 in May and he is one that has had a lot of stop start events in his career.
And he is a young player that has often moved to a club and the manager that brought him in leaves not too long after. So his development gets that bit more difficult as new country/new club and a few managers.
Happened to him at Bayern and has now happened again to him here at Liverpool.
Think he does have a lot of talent though and you do not play in over 200 club games by the age of 22 without that talent. To add a bit of context he is only a year older than Elliot but did not get the development time away from the spotlight at "lesser" clubs like Elliot has had.
Apparently United aren’t pursuing Ugarte anymore. I wonder how he’d fit into our setup ?
Think he would fit in well enough tbh.
Think he could be a more direct more aggressive version of Mat Wieffer who Slot had in the DM role at his last club.
Ugarte is not a silky passer of the ball or a guy that will set a tempo. But he is a guy that will all game long disrupt the other team, that will keep winning the ball over and over and over through interceptions and tackles and who will to a very high level find a teammate with a quick common sense pass almost every time he releases that won ball.
I actually think there is a lot more to Ugarte's game than what has been see to date (plus he is only 23) and that there is a physically bigger version of Mascherano to his style of play.
Would he be my dream pick for a DM spot? No because I would love that unicorn type players for the role. One that is big, mobile, blessed with physical traits but even more blessed with technical ability and a footballing brain to use that ability.
But would Ugarte improve our current midfield and make us a lot harder to get joy against in the centre? I think he would.
Quite possibly. I think it was this time last year when I was thinking Ox and Naby were going to be branded as like new signings when we then went a bit mental after Caicedo. (But then got Endo)
Apparently United aren’t pursuing Ugarte anymore. I wonder how he’d fit into our setup ?
Quite possibly. I think it was this time last year when I was thinking Ox and Naby were going to be branded as like new signings when we then went a bit mental after Caicedo. (But then got Endo)
Or to put it bluntly, we’re not going to go out and buy a defensive midfielder for the pivot role, as we’ve got a versatile player like Gravenberch who can be moulded into one.
Or we’re just saying that so we don’t sound desperate when we approach whoever we’ve identified as an upgrade. Time will tell
Or to put it bluntly, we’re not going to go out and buy a defensive midfielder for the pivot role, as we’ve got a versatile player like Gravenberch who can be moulded into one.
UNPACKING RYAN GRAVENBERCH’S POTENTIAL AT LIVERPOOL UNDER ARNE SLOT’S GUIDANCE
In a recent episode of Anfield Index’s ‘Media Matters’ podcast, David Lynch offered intriguing insights into Ryan Gravenberch’s prospective role at Liverpool under the stewardship of new manager Arne Slot. As the young midfielder adjusts to life at Anfield, speculation abounds regarding how he will fit into Slot’s tactical framework. Here, we delve into the dynamics of Gravenberch’s integration into the Liverpool midfield, the expectations surrounding his development, and the impact of Slot’s coaching philosophy.
GRAVENBERCH’S ROLE IN LIVERPOOL’S MIDFIELD
David Lynch points out that while Gravenberch has shown versatility in his roles, his immediate future at Liverpool will likely see him occupying deeper midfield positions. “It’s an interesting one because I know he has occasionally played in deeper roles and we’ve seen how this midfield is being used at the moment with a double pivot,” Lynch commented on the podcast. This tactical adjustment suggests that Gravenberch won’t be the furthest forward in midfield, indicating a significant shift from his previous responsibilities.
Gravenberch’s adaptability could be key in a system that emphasizes robust defensive duties combined with the ability to transition quickly into attack. Lynch observes, “Gravenberch isn’t going to be the advanced midfielder so he is very much going to have to drop in and do some work in the deeper midfield positions.” This role will leverage his capacity to blend physical presence with technical finesse, a combination that Liverpool has been keen on developing in their midfield arsenal.
TECHNICAL PROWESS AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROMISE
Despite his youth, Gravenberch is not without commendable skill. Lynch praises the midfielder’s unique abilities: “He has got that ability to drop a shoulder and beat a man out of nowhere and he’s probably the best at that out of the midfielders.” Such flair will be essential for breaking down opposition defences and could become a hallmark of his play under Slot’s guidance.
Furthermore, the potential for growth is substantial. Lynch notes, “People seem to forget that he’s only 21-years-old and in a slightly more compact system he will naturally improve. There’s loads there to work with.” Under the right conditions, Gravenberch could develop into a pivotal player for Liverpool, blending his innate skills with the tactical acumen provided by Slot’s coaching.
SLOT’S IMPACT ON YOUNG TALENT
Arne Slot’s reputation as a developer of young talent is well-documented, and his arrival at Liverpool brings a promise of nurturing and elevating players like Gravenberch. Lynch expresses optimism about this partnership: “I’m excited to see what Arne Slot can do with him as a manager who is really good at developing players.” Slot’s approach often involves a detailed focus on individual player development, which could be instrumental in refining Gravenberch’s game to suit Premier League demands.
LOOKING AHEAD: EXPECTATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES
As Gravenberch prepares for the upcoming season, the expectations are high, but so are the opportunities. Integrating into Liverpool’s midfield under Slot’s tutelage could be the catalyst that propels his career to new heights. With a focus on tactical discipline and creative freedom, Gravenberch might just become the linchpin in a rejuvenated Liverpool side aiming to reclaim domestic and European glory.
In summary, Ryan Gravenberch’s transition under Arne Slot at Liverpool is poised to be a fascinating development. With his robust skill set and the nurturing environment provided by Slot, Anfield could witness the rise of a new midfield maestro. As Lynch and many others observe, the blend of youth, talent, and expert guidance promises a bright future for both player and club.
Ryan Gravenberch had: The most dribbles completed(7), the most duels won in midfield (9), and the most ball recoveries made in midfield (7) today, across all players.
Positive performance from him today. Looked to want to get the ball forward and take players on.
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