Liverpool final whistle talking point from Theo Squires after Europa League game away to LASK as Ryan Gravenberch impresses on his first start
Ryan Gravenberch made his frustrations at Bayern Munich well-known, during what would prove to be a solitary season in Germany, on more than one occasion.
Signed from Ajax last summer, the Netherlands international might have won the Bundesliga in Bavaria, but five starts in the German top-flight and Champions League, having made 33 appearances in all competitions last year, was not enough for the ambitious 21-year-old.
A long-time Liverpool target, a summer exit still seemed likely despite Bayern’s insistence otherwise when the two sides locked horns in pre-season. Featuring for just nine minutes in the German giants’ opening three games, the writing was on the wall.
It would take just two games for Jurgen Klopp to hand the Dutchman what he had been so regularly denied in Germany. Starting the Reds’ Europa League opener against LASK Linz, even in a disjointed team performance after wholesale changes, it did not take him long to showcase his talent and demonstrate why Liverpool were willing to pay up to £40m for his services.
After a season on the fringes in Bavaria, you would have forgiven Gravenberch for being a little rusty and needing time to settle within Klopp’s ranks. Kicked black and blue by LASK defenders, it was equally understandable why he blew hot and cold in the first half of his full Reds debut.
Boasting an exquisite touch and always a threat when galloping forward with the ball, he linked up well with his new team-mates in the final third. A smart one-two with Harvey Elliott, who he appears to have built an immediate connection with, nearly led to an opening goal as space opened up on the box, only for a last-ditch tackle to deny him.
However, on more than one occasion he lost possession to the hosts as he grew frustrated for very different reasons. One misplaced ball out of play saw him hammer the ground in annoyance, with Elliott over quickly to encourage his new team-mate to shrug it off.
After the break, he did exactly that as a moment of magic from the Dutchman won the game for Liverpool. With Nunez holding the ball up well on the halfway line and laying it off to Elliott, it was Gravenberch who burst away down the right running onto a through-ball, before whipping a deadly low cross for Luis Diaz to finish.
Gravenberch’s glee in his celebrations with the Colombian as he leapt up and down was there for all to see. After a year not enjoying his football, he has found a new home.
With Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister brought on just two minutes before the goal, Klopp was free to unleash his new £130m midfield trio. However, their time on the pitch together came to an end just 13 minutes later as Gravenberch was forced off injured.
There is a belief that it will be the Netherlands international who is reshaped into a deeper midfielder the longer his Reds career goes on. But here he was free to play his natural game as a number eight in a box midfield. Alongside Elliott, the pair showed exactly how well the set-up can suit such flexible, attacking players.
One only hopes that Gravenberch’s withdrawal was just precautionary. Klopp has waited a long time to work alongside the Dutchman and will be licking his lips after this encouraging first start that showed Bayern perhaps what they could have had.
After a summer of overhaul, Liverpool’s new-look midfield is complete. But after only 13 minutes of action together, this 3-1 win in Linz is only the beginning.
