I'm not surprised by what Ryan Gravenberch is doing at Liverpool - I just couldn't play him

Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool walking onto the pitch before the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
-Credit: (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)


Ryan Gravenberch will return to Liverpool after suffering a disappointing end to the international break. The in-form midfielder was taken off as the Netherlands suffered a 1-0 Nations League defeat to bitter-rivals Germany.

It was an unhappy return for Gravenberch to the Allianz Arena, the ground he called home for little over a year after then Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann signed the youngster from Ajax in June 2022.

The 22-year-old struggled in his first and only full season in Munich, with just six of his 34 appearances in all competitions coming as starts, and on the final day of the 2023 transfer window he made a £34m move to Liverpool.

READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberch 'taken out' as Liverpool wait on midfielder fitness update

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah decision hints at Liverpool plan before possible long goodbye

Gravenberch made 38 appearances in his debut campaign on Merseyside, 21 from the start, but it is this season in which he has truly found his feet, under the guidance of the club's new manager and compatriot Arne Slot.

So while Gravenberch and Reds team-mate Cody Gakpo could not help the Netherlands to victory in Munich, it still does not take the shine off what has been a mightily impressive campaign so far.

That much was not lost on Nagelsmann, who is now in charge of Germany. Speaking before Tuesday night's match against the Dutch, he admitted that he has not been surprised by Gravenberch's form and explained why he was unable to give him the game time he craved at Bayern.

“I had just become coach of Bayern and had two German internationals with (Leon) Goretzka and (Joshua) Kimmich that I could not easily pass,” said Nagelsmann, who was sacked by Munich in March 2023, to be replaced by Thomas Tuchel.

“That was difficult for Ryan, because he was used to being a regular at Ajax.

“His start at Bayern was not perfect either, but you could see his great talent. That he is doing so well now does not surprise me.

"It was there and it is now coming out at Liverpool and the Dutch national team. I am happy for him. Ryan is a good, intelligent boy.”

Gravenberch recently spoke about his time in Germany and his first season with the Reds. He said: "I think I had an okay season for my first season in the Premier League. My goal was to get more minutes than I had at my previous club and I reached that goal.

"There were ups and downs, but in the end I look back at my first season at Liverpool with a good feeling. The Premier League is quicker than German football. It is more intense, both when you are in possession and when you are pressing.

"Counter-attacks are at speed and I think you get more time on the ball when you are in possession in the Bundesliga. You have to adapt here, but how quickly you adapt depends.

"Every player is different and, to be honest, I like a period to adapt. I wasn't used to the Premier League, of course, and I didn't play a lot of football before I came here, but I had the time to adapt and I really needed it.

"It can take time to build relationships on the pitch and, what I said, every player is different. I think if you train a lot with your team-mates you adapt to them quicker and adapt to the league quicker."

Table-topping Liverpool return to Premier League action at home to Chelsea. And Gravenberch said: "We just have to see game by game and not look too far in front. Of course, as a player you want to win a lot of prizes, especially the Premier League, but the other prizes as well.

"It is an exciting time to be at Liverpool and, for me, this season, my goal is to win more prizes. That is my big aim for this season, but we will see game by game."