Jamie Carragher picks out Liverpool star ‘just like Patrick Vieira’ v Tottenham
Liverpool are flying in all competitions this season and Ryan Gravenberch has been hailed as one of the reasons for that.
The Dutch midfielder had an underwhelming first season at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp making just 12 Premier League starts.
However, he has completely transformed his reputation under Arne Slot becoming one of the best-performing midfielders in world football.
The 22-year-old has started in all 23 of the Reds league matches and missed just one Champions League match, the 3-2 loss in the dead-rubber with PSV.
Gravenberch starred yet again on Thursday in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham, sealing a 4-0 win at Anfield to book a spot at Wembley in the final yet again.
Jamie Carragher makes stunning Vieira claim
The Dutchman’s resurgence this campaign has led to Jamie Carragher making a stunning claim involving Premier League legend Patrick Vieira.
Speaking on Sky Sports (6 February, 19:45), he said: “The highest compliment that is can give him is, I think if Liverpool go on to win the league, he will be in the running for player of the year.
“The person you would probably say he is reminiscent a little bit of, he’s not there yet, is probably Patrick Vieira.
“When you look at those long legs, the way he moved through midfield in that first game against Ipswich, that is Vieira-like, you know if people can’t keep up with him when he is moving with the ball, he has been a revelation.”
Gravenberch validates transfer call at Liverpool
The emergence of the former Bayern Munich man this season has reduced the need for the Merseysiders to sign a holding midfielder.
In the summer, they made a move to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad but are not expected to renew their interest as a result of the Dutchman’s performances.
The more sensible move would be to sign an understudy to the former Ajax star as Slot does not seem to rate Wataru Endo.
As a result, Gravenberch has not had many chances to rest and that may catch up with the Reds towards the end of the season.
They will hope it does not as he has been a major factor in their Premier League and Champions League charges.
If Gravenberch stays fit and maintains his performance levels, Carragher is right, he will be in for the major awards at the end of the campaign.