Jurgen Klopp copied 'crucial' Liverpool tactic to get Ryan Gravenberch to sign

01 September 2023 , 10:32

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Jurgen Klopp is set to seal a fourth summer signing (Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool look certain to complete the signing of Ryan Gravenberch on Friday with Jurgen Klopp again playing a pivotal role in bringing a player to Anfield.

The Bayern Munich man has flown into Merseyside to complete a medical, with a £34.2 million deal set to be announced in advance of the 11pm deadline. The 21-year-old will become Klopp's fourth summer signing, following Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo through the door at Anfield.

The future of the Dutch international has been the subject of speculation all summer long, with both Liverpool and Manchester United linked. But it was the Reds who finally took a step forward in negotiations this week, with manger Klopp holding private talks with the player.

That prompted the two clubs to agree a deal on Thursday, although negotiations were initially delayed when Gravenberch saw his scheduled flight cancelled. But following a frustrating season with the Bundesliga champions for the player, a five-year deal is imminent.

And there has been a common denominator in Liverpool's business this summer. After arriving from Brighton, Mac Allister cited discussions with Klopp as crucial in him opting to join: “After the season ended, I had the chance to talk to Klopp and he told me about the club, the city and what he wanted,” he said.

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“The main thing was that from the first moment, they communicated with my family and with me, they wanted me to be there. When I was able to speak with the coach, it was made even clearer. It’s the small details that made me choose Liverpool."

Hungarian captain Szoboszlai echoed similar sentiments, saying of Klopp: "We talked as if we had known each other for a thousand years. In addition to being one of the best coaches in the world, he is also absolutely overwhelming humanly."

Ryan Gravenberch is joining Liverpool (Jürgen Fromme/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

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And the same club tactic has seemingly worked on Gravenberch. Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg has labelled Klopp "crucial" in Liverpool persuading the midfielder to join.

Whilst the German boss has now seemingly finished his work in terms of incomings, he still has a headache to deal with. Saudi club Al-Ittihad are preparing a massive money bid to try and prize away Mo Salah, a deal which could see the Egyptian forward earn over £1 million a week.

Fraser Watson