Liverpool’s tactics will be debated all week and the latest analysis centres on one figure who was praised last season but challenged heavily after our defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Nicol’s assessment of Gravenberch and what it means for Liverpool
Speaking on ESPN FC, former defender Steve Nicol argued that Ryan Gravenberch “has escaped criticism so far” and claimed last season’s strong performer has “completely disappeared again.”
The ex-Red said our No.38 “was maybe Liverpool’s best player last year” behind Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, highlighting how the Dutch midfielder “started attacks” and consistently made the right decisions.
Nicol’s main criticism now focused on the defensive side of his role.
He insisted the 23-year-old’s job is to “be that block in front of the back four, order the other two around” and “fill in behind and cover the holes,” but added: “He has done none of that this year.”
He acknowledged the injury Gravenberch suffered earlier in the season but still concluded that the midfielder is underperforming at present and the Forest game undoubtedly fuelled his point.
According to SofaScore, the former Bayern Munich man produced 67/70 accurate passes (96%), two interceptions, three recoveries, five ground duels won, and no key passes, ending the match with a 6.4 rating.
The accuracy was high but the lack of creativity and defensive control stood out in a performance that was sub-par across the entire team.
Why Liverpool still need Gravenberch and why perspective matters
It feels harsh to suggest he alone was the issue when we know how much he was missed before the wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.
Arne Slot clearly trusts him in that screening role ahead of Wataru Endo, and the Dutchman has the quality to turn his form around.
Van Dijk said “everyone has to take responsibility” after the Forest defeat, a message that naturally includes our No.38.
Meanwhile, criticism from Pierre van Hooijdonk during the Netherlands’ draw with Poland – where he branded some moments “laziness” – shows that the midfielder is not currently at his best.
Gravenberch has the talent to respond, and with ten Premier League starts from 12 this season, he has the trust from his boss to play himself out of this rut.
You can view Nicol’s comments on Gravenberch (from 8:29) via ESPN FC on YouTube:
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Most games are won and lost in the midfield, they are not my words but the words of souness, who was one of the very best midfielder’s to play for Liverpool football club. The decline of Liverpool started when the midfield under klopp was left to degrade, the legs had gone in fabinho Henderson and wjinaldum, they weren’t relaced, we ended up in the Europa league, it was the beginning of the end of the klopp era at Liverpool. The midfield was then replaced on the cheap by FSG with players who weren’t midfielder’s who would press and win the ball back. As good as gravenberch szoboszlai and Alexis mac allister are on the ball, they ain’t the best without it. Very lightweight. That midfield failed under klopp, very vulnerable on the counter and the season fell apart we finished fourth. Is our midfield good enough to win the champions league, no way, it’s not as strong as Manchester city or the Arsenal midfield. The cover players in midfield are not good enough, Jones and endo. Lots of talk about needing central defender, but the midfield needs a leader, someone to win the second balls and do the ugly side. For me the midfield is a bigger problem than the defence, without the ball our midfield is not good enough. Before you say it, without Salah last season we wouldn’t have won anything. A one man team with a lightweight midfield.
The midfielders we have currently are good players. Macallister is world cup winner. Szoboslai is captain of Hungary and his display this season has been exhilarating. Gravenberch is not a dm but he made that his role since last season. We can look at getting a dm but they do not come cheap in Jan. Who do you fancy as the dm we need? Jones and endo are backup players. They accept their squad status and can come in handy if needed.