Klopp finally gets hands on 'game-changer' transfer after two failed attempts

01 September 2023 , 11:03

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Ryan Gravenberch is joining Liverpool from Bayern Munich (Image: Tom Kieslich/FC Bayern via Getty Images)

Liverpool are set to finally complete the signing of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch this summer, three years after first showing interest in the Dutchman.

Gravenberch came on Liverpool's radar in 2020 after he impressed against them for Ajax in the Champions League. And when Georginio Wijnaldum left Anfield to join Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, Gravenberch was on Liverpool's list of potential replacements.

However, the deal did not get done that summer and a replacement for Wijnaldum was ultimately not signed, with Gravenberch staying at Ajax for one more season and then opting to join Bayern Munich last summer instead of Liverpool.

Things have not worked out in Germany for the 21-year-old, who has been vocal about his desire to play more regularly. "I expected to play more minutes than I did. I thought I would get some more chances," Gravenberch told ESPN in June.

"It's about just wanting to play, that's the most important thing at my age. I hope this can happen at Bayern Munich, otherwise we'll just have to look further. I told everyone that I don't want another year like that."

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And it is his lack of game time at Bayern that has led to him deciding to join Liverpool, with manager Thomas Tuchel stating: "He wasn't happy with his situation here as he sees the chance in Liverpool to fight for a place in a 4-3-3.

"He's wanted to go for a while. An offer came in, we discussed it. The outcome is clear." And Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be delighted to have finally got his man, with Sky Sports reporting that he had been identified as a potential 'game-changer'.

Gravenberch had been identified as a potential 'game-changer' by Liverpool last summer, along with Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni (Getty Images)

Gravenberch was on a shortlist of midfield targets last summer along with Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham, who have both since joined Real Madrid, with the trio all viewed as players who 'could develop into game-changers'.

And Liverpool will be hoping Gravenberch can fulfil his undoubted potential at Anfield, with former Ajax youth coach Brian Tevreden branding him a 'a better version of Paul Pogba'. Tevreden told Goal in 2021: "Physically, I see Frank [Rijkaard] in him from back in the day, because he's tall and very strong.

"But technically, I would say he's a better version of Pogba in his best days at Juventus, in terms of his technique and his presence on the pitch. He's very dominant like Pogba was, and that's what I see in Ryan."

Matthew Cooper