When Jürgen Klopp assembled his iconic Liverpool midfield trios, they were known for their tireless work rate, versatility, and tactical discipline.
From Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, and James Milner in the 2018 Champions League final to Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara slotting in for the 2019 and 2022 finals, Klopp’s midfield engines were critical to his success.
Now, as Klopp has handed over the reins to new manager Arne Slot, a new trio has emerged: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
And of the three, it is Gravenberch who has turned heads with his early-season performances, drawing both excitement and comparisons to Wijnaldum.
A “Special Leaving Gift” from Klopp
Gravenberch, who joined Liverpool this past summer, has quickly proven to be a key asset in Slot’s midfield. Klopp’s midfield trios were known for their balance of defensive work, ball retention, and transition play.
Ryan Gravenberch. Credit: Imago Images
While the comparison to Wijnaldum is natural due to their shared Dutch nationality and similar roles, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson believes Gravenberch brings even more to the table.
“I don’t just think Ryan Gravenberch is Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum replacement – I think he’s better than him,” said Lawrenson in a recent interview with SportingCasting. Wijnaldum, a fan favorite during his time at Anfield, played an essential role in Klopp’s pressing system, but Lawrenson argues that Gravenberch offers something extra: “He’s got a little burst of pace and more attacking qualities that Gini didn’t have.”
Gravenberch’s Stats Back the Praise
A comparison of the underlying statistics between Gravenberch and Wijnaldum supports Lawrenson’s bold claim. Gravenberch, who has been dynamic in both attack and defense, is outperforming Wijnaldum in several key metrics from the Dutchman’s best seasons at Liverpool:
- Progressive Carries: Gravenberch is averaging 3 progressive carries per 90 minutes this season, surpassing Wijnaldum’s best (2.27 per-90 in 2019-20). This demonstrates his ability to drive the ball forward, adding an extra dimension to Liverpool’s attack.
- Progressive Passes: Gravenberch’s 7.17 progressive passes per-90 also beat Wijnaldum’s highest (5.54 in 2018-19), highlighting Gravenberch’s involvement in building play from deep positions.
- Goal-Creating Actions: Gravenberch’s contributions in the final third are also notable, with 0.5 goal-creating actions per-90, more than double Wijnaldum’s highest tally of 0.21 per-90 in 2020-21.
While Gravenberch may not yet match Wijnaldum in shot-creating actions per-90, his superior goal creation suggests he is playing a more direct role in shaping Liverpool’s attacking moves.
Defensive contributions and versatility
Where Gravenberch truly sets himself apart is in his defensive output, an area where Wijnaldum, though reliable, was not tasked with the same level of responsibility. Gravenberch’s defensive stats so far this season have been impressive:
- Tackles: Gravenberch is averaging 2.5 tackles per-90, compared to Wijnaldum’s highest of 1.36 in 2018-19.
- Tackles + Interceptions: Gravenberch’s combined tackle and interception rate of 4.17 per-90 is nearly double Wijnaldum’s best (2.23 in 2017-18). This indicates that Gravenberch is not only contributing to Liverpool’s offensive transitions but also playing a crucial role in breaking up opposition attacks.
Lawrenson’s praise of Gravenberch’s defensive abilities reflects how Slot’s new-look midfield operates.
Unlike Klopp’s midfields, which often relied on Fabinho or Henderson for defensive solidity, Gravenberch has taken on much of that responsibility while also pushing forward in attack.
A complementary midfield trio
Perhaps what makes Gravenberch’s impact most impressive is how well he fits alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Alexis Mac Allister. Credit: Imago Images
Slot has constructed a midfield that doesn’t rely on one standout star, but rather a well-rounded unit that works together.
Lawrenson was quick to praise the trio as a whole: “He looks a really classy player at the moment and compliments Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai really well. All three midfielders have started the campaign very promisingly.”
This new midfield has been key to Liverpool’s rise to the top of the Premier League table after six games.
Each player brings unique qualities, but they operate in harmony, with Mac Allister providing the deep-lying playmaker role, Szoboszlai adding energy and creativity, and Gravenberch balancing defense and attack.
The blend of these attributes has given Liverpool a newfound control in games, a departure from the chaotic energy of Klopp’s pressing machine.
