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Owen Hargreaves has told Arne Slot that Liverpool needs to replace Ryan Gravenberch if they are to win the Premier League title this season. The Merseysiders have had a stellar start to the 2024-25 campaign under their new manager.
Liverpool currently sit atop the league table, sitting a point ahead of second-placed Manchester City.
The Reds have won five of their six league fixtures so far this season and Gravenberch has played every single minute of Premier League action so far. Slot has deployed the Netherlands international as a defensive midfielder.
However, Hargreaves believes that while Gravenberch is an excellent midfielder, he is not quite what Liverpool need in a defensive midfielder. The former Manchester United star said (via TBR Football):
“He has done brilliantly well but he is not a defensive midfield player, which is fine because when you are playing teams like this, which you will beat. He is 190 cm. He is 22 years old. He has got everything. But he is not a specialist defensive midfield player. There is a difference. I think he is a brilliant midfield player, he is a box-to-box, depending on who you play."
He added:
“But I think in a big game, in a one-off game, to go and win the Premier League or the Champions League, I think you need a specialist. Liverpool showed that with Fabinho or Manchester City showed that with Rodri. I still think they will address his position."
"But credit Gravenberch, he has grabbed his chance and that’s all you need. He said, ‘What’s different?’ And he said, ‘Just play me.’ That’s what you need as a player, you need someone to trust you and he has proven it. I still think tougher tests will come – I love what he is doing, but I still think they will go and get somebody."
The Reds will next face Bologna in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (October 2).
Liverpool duo Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch involved in hilarious exchange after Wolves win
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is in disbelief that he was not awarded Sky Sports' Man of the Match award after his side's victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The French defender was involved in a hilarious exchange with Ryan Gravenberch and Gary Neville after the game.
The Merseysiders secured a 2-1 win over Wolves at the Molineux on Saturday (September 28), courtesy of goals from Konate and Mohamed Salah. After the game, Konate and Gravenberch were invited by Sky Sports to receive the MOTM award.
On learning that his teammate was the one who received the award, Konate said:
“Sky Sports, who decides who is man of the match? How is this possible? OK, it’s my brother, I have to give it to him. Milan I score, today I score... I didn’t deserve it? No, no, no, what happened? You have to talk to them; I don’t know who decides.”
After finding out Gary Neville was responsible for choosing the award winner, Gravenberch hilariously said:
“Thank you, Gary.”
The Merseyside outfit will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace next Saturday (October 5).
