It was a blockbuster bank holiday weekend for Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp’s 10-men turned around a one-goal deficit away to Newcastle United. Darwin Núñez took the headlines with two fantastic finishes. The rarity of such a win was not lost on the boss, who said:
“In my thousand games I coached, I never had a game like this.”
New signing Wataru Endō faced a real baptism of fire in his first start. The game was a fast-paced encounter, played in a febrile atmosphere. With just a few days before the transfer window slams shut, will Endō prove to be the Reds’ final piece of summer business?
One of the players consistently linked with a move to Anfield is Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch. Journo Insight favourite Florian ‘Plettigoal’ Plettenberg tweeted that the young Dutchman is ‘one to watch until Deadline Day.’ Could he be a late-window Liverpool signing?
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we spoke to experienced LFC journalist Neil Jones for his thoughts on Gravenberch.
‘He Can Play Anywhere In The World!’ | André’s Former Manager
Neil said: “It’s clear the player isn’t happy with his lot at Bayern, and why would he be? He’s barely played or started games.
“He’s out of the side for a long time now – over a season of not playing regular football. If there’s an opportunity, then I think Liverpool will try and take it.
“There are a lot of players who aren’t perfect, aren’t the best players in the world right now, but you can see that they’d add something to Liverpool’s team. Gravenberch is definitely one.
“There’s a chance that Liverpool can get a deal done. Liverpool are open to the opportunity – definitely – if it arises. If they can get it done, they will – or they will try anyway.
“You’re going to have the fans on board, a manager who wants you – who’s signed you. You’re going to have a point to prove. You’ve gone and failed somewhere – go and succeed somewhere else.
“They’re still one short, at least. I think two short, squad-wise. I think someone like Gravenberch – if there’s an opportunity for him in the last few days of this window, I think Liverpool will go and try and take it.
“I thought Bayern got him cheap and then it’s still cheap. You can have a go at him for two years. He’s probably still going to be worth what you paid for him, unless something’s gone horribly wrong.
“You’re not in the position now where we haven’t won a game in the first three – as it was last season. You’re actually in a decent position. Go and double down. Go and rubber stamp that positive mood.”
‘LIVERPOOL WILL TRY TO SIGN RYAN GRAVENBERCH’ – Neil Jones on LFC Transfers Plans
Redmen Reacts
Liverpool’s transfer committee must capitalise on a positive start to the season and make sure there is no repeat of the shortages that derailed the 20/21 and 22/23 seasons. The reported deal for Ryan Gravenberch – who was hailed as the ‘greatest talent’ by former Ajax youth coach Brian Tevreden – ticks so many boxes. He is an impressive young player available for a fee much smaller than some of the ludicrous prices quoted for Premier League stars. As Neil says, his time at LFC would have to be a total disaster for him to lose value, so the deal makes financial sense for those at FSG worried about the club’s future bank balance.
There are six Europa League games and domestic cup competitions he could be guaranteed starts in, not to mention games over the hectic Christmas period. This could provide a bedding in platform away from the high pressure of the biggest games in world football. Gravenberch need only look to two Dutch legends for inspiration on how to turn a career around. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were both unceremoniously sold by Real Madrid in 2009 after being deemed surplus to requirements. Both went on to become club legends at their next clubs, both winning the Champions League and becoming amongst the best in Europe. Who better to rehabilitate a young career and inspire confidence than Jürgen Klopp?
