Liverpool could offer Ryan Gravenberch a fresh start in the Premier League and some of his Bayern Munich team-mates are ‘astonished’ about his lack of game-time at the Bundesliga giants.
That is according to The Athletic; Julian Nagelsmann’s Allianz Arena autopsy underway following last week’s sudden-yet-not-entirely-unjustified sacking.
It is common knowledge that Hansi Flick, Nagelsmann’s predecessor, did not see eye to eye with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
The lack of opportunities afforded to Salihamidzic’s £19 million signing, meanwhile, seems to highlight further differences of opinion between he and Nagelsmann too; Gravenberch starting only three games in all competitions since last summer’s big-money arrival from Ajax.
Some in the Bayern dressing room were reportedly ‘astonished’ to see the Dutch international consigned to such a back seat role under Nagelsmann. Gravenberch would not have expected to arrive at FC Hollywood and immediately establish himself as a leading man. But he would have at least anticipated a role in the supporting cast.
Instead, Gravenberch has been little more than a highly-paid extra, going about his business in the shadows.
Liverpool like Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga benchwarmer Ryan Gravenberch
“I hope that he didn’t go to Bavaria too early,” sighs a concerned Dutch legend Ruud Gullit. “He’s basically a wonderful player, but he still has a lot to learn. I hope he gets a little more playing time.”
Gravenberch is a victim of Joshua Kimmich’s continued excellence at the heart of the Bayern engine room; like Marcel Sabitzer, Marc Roca and co before him,As Gullit points out, ‘(Kimmich) currently one of the best players in the world in his position. I am a huge fan of Kimmich’.”
If Gravenberch hopes to step out of the German’s shadows, a potential move to Liverpool is likely to appeal to a 20-year-old playmaker once labelled a ‘better version of Paul Pogba’ due to his combination of technical and physical gifts.
Liverpool, Sport1 say, see Gravenberch as a potential alternative to the considerably-more-expensive Jude Bellingham. The former certainly shares the latter’s poise, maturity and guile; another press-resistant playmaker capable of turning defence into attack with one of those trademark striding runs.
Just one of Gravenberch’s starts in 2022/23 has come in the Bundesliga. Thomas Tuchel’s arrival could, at least, offer the Dutchman a clean slate.
Tuchel will take on former employers Borussia Dortmund after the international break.
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