Ryan Gravenberch was widely praised for his performance in Liverpool’s recent clash with AC Milan, with many naming him the Man of the Match.
Under the guidance of Arne Slot, Gravenberch has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s standout holding midfielders in a remarkably short time.
Gravenberch’s numbers were impressive.
According to SofaScore, he had 57 touches of the ball with a 90% passing accuracy, won three duels, made seven interceptions, and completed nine ball recoveries. These stats, along with his overall influence on the game, earned him the official MOTM award.
Ryan Gravenberch. Credit: Imago Images
However, not everyone agreed with this assessment.
According to Sky Sports Italy commentators, another Liverpool player deserved the accolade over Gravenberch.
Italian Commentators back Cody Gakpo as the Real MVP
The Sky Sports Italy commentators had a different view, selecting Cody Gakpo as their Man of the Match.
Despite Gravenberch’s strong performance, the commentators highlighted Gakpo’s contributions as more decisive in shaping the outcome of the game.
Gakpo, who has had to fight for game time due to the form of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Mohamed Salah, made the most of his opportunity against AC Milan.
His stats from the game were impressive despite having only 43 touches of the ball. Gakpo delivered one assist, had an 83% passing accuracy, made two key passes, took two shots on target, and completed four dribbles. Additionally, he won seven duels, made one interception, and contributed defensively with one tackle.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates Cody Gakpo after scoring to give the side a 3-1 lead. Credit: Imago
Clarence Seedorf, who was part of the commentary team, suggested that Gakpo is being somewhat restricted at Liverpool and needs to be deployed in a different position to unlock his full potential.
Gakpo’s performance could spark changes in Liverpool’s attack
Gakpo’s standout performance has surely caught the attention of manager Arne Slot.
While the Dutch forward has been on the periphery this season, largely due to the form of Liverpool’s established front three, this display against Milan may lead to more opportunities for him moving forward.
His ability to impact the game in multiple areas, both offensively and defensively, makes a strong case for a more prominent role in upcoming matches.
Cody Gakpo. Credit: Imago Images
With Liverpool suffering a defeat in their last Premier League game against Nottingham Forest, Slot may look to shake things up in attack.
Gakpo’s versatility and form might just be the spark needed to reinvigorate the Reds as they aim to get back on track in the league.
