Liverpool Have Hit Gold on Klopp’s “Rolls-Royce” Who’s Worth More Than Sepp Van den Berg
The Premier League’s attraction grows each year as England’s top tier consistently surpasses its European counterparts in spending and exerts a significant influence in the continent’s elite club competitions. In recent years, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City have each won three of the last six editions of these tournaments.
English clubs have markedly outspent other top European leagues over the past three seasons, accounting for at least 40% of the continent’s total expenditure in each of those years.
This financial dominance appears to be influential in player decisions. An example of this is Sepp van den Berg’s anticipated move to Brentford rather than Bayer Leverkusen. Both clubs have agreed to meet Liverpool’s asking price of £20 million plus £5 million in bonuses for the Dutch centre-back.
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen had an impressive season last year, winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal without losing a match. Their only setback was a defeat in the Europa League final against Atalanta. With Leverkusen showing interest in strengthening their defence, Van den Berg would be a valuable addition to their squad.
| Sepp Van den Berg: Bundesliga Stats with Mainz (23/24) | |
|---|---|
| Statistics (*per game) | # |
| Matches (starts) | 33 (31) |
| Goals | 3 |
| Clean sheets | 8 |
| Touches* | 57.8 |
| Pass completion | 81% |
| Ball recoveries* | 5.3 |
| Tackles* | 1.2 |
| Interceptions* | 1.3 |
| Clearances* | 4.7 |
| Total duels won* | 7.0 (65%) |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
Liverpool’s management understands that selling the 22-year-old player is a necessary decision despite his evident talent. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Jarell Quansah ahead of him in the defensive hierarchy, he is unlikely to get the playing time he desires at Anfield. Additionally, rumours suggest that a new defensive signing might be imminent before the end of the month.
The appointment of Arne Slot this summer has introduced a strong Dutch influence to Liverpool’s senior squad. However, Van den Berg will not be part of this change, as he prepares to move on and advance his promising career.
While Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo stand out as some of Liverpool’s brightest stars, Ryan Gravenberch is also demonstrating his potential to become a key player for the team.
Why Liverpool Signed Ryan Gravenberch
Last summer, Liverpool concluded a hectic transfer period by acquiring Ryan Gravenberch in a £34 million deal, which marked the end of his underwhelming tenure at Bayern Munich.
The versatile midfielder had previously gained recognition as one of Europe’s most promising talents during his time with Ajax. However, his stint in Germany was less successful, as he made only three Bundesliga starts during the 2022/23 season, with two of these appearances occurring in May.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp secured Gravenberch after negotiating a deal for Wataru Endo, which temporarily addressed the team’s midfield issues. Gravenberch’s dynamic and adaptable style suggested that he could fit into various roles within the midfield.
Although he struggled last year, Gravenberch may take on a deeper role this season, especially after Liverpool’s failure to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. He was positioned as a defensive midfielder in his team’s recent victory over Ipswich Town and is expected to be considered for this role again in their upcoming match against Brentford at Anfield.
| Ryan Gravenberch: Stats vs Ipswich | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | # |
| Minutes played | 90′ |
| Touches | 71 |
| Pass completion | 51/59 (86%) |
| Long balls | 2/2 |
| Dribble attempts | 1/2 |
| Ball recoveries | 2 |
| Tackles | 3 |
| Duels won | 6/12 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
He exhibited a refined skill set in possession and was assertive off the ball, which hints at a promising future as Liverpool’s central midfielder. This impression was further validated when Ian Doyle from the Liverpool Echo rated him 8/10 for his performance.
Although it’s still early in his tenure, Gravenberch made significant progress in his development last week and now needs to maintain this upward trajectory. He made only 12 Premier League starts under Klopp and experienced fluctuating form throughout.
Could he be evolving into one of Liverpool’s key and highly valuable players?
Gravenberch’s role at the base of the midfield highlights his versatility and talent, as he has previously thrived in more attacking positions. His impressive passing range enables him to control the game from deeper areas, potentially making him a valuable asset for Slot. This could lead to an increase in his market value in the near future.
He possesses a progressive technical skill set and a dynamic approach to his game, which could lead to significant growth in the coming years. Over the past year, he has ranked in the top 10% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for progressive passes, and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90 minutes, according to FBref.
While his countryman Van den Berg shows potential, Gravenberch exhibits the attributes of an elite-level player. Though he lacks some composure and conditioning, he is well-positioned to advance to the next level.
Football Transfers’ player valuation model currently indicates a slight decrease in value for the “Rolls Royce” – as he has been described by journalist Declan Carr – since his signing a year ago. The Netherlands international is now valued at €38m (approximately £32m). This decrease is attributed to his struggles from the previous season.
Nevertheless, this valuation still places him ahead of Van den Berg, reflecting expectations for his future growth. His recent performance at Portman Road has shown immediate improvement under his new manager.
Last season, Gravenberch was criticized as a “passenger out of possession” during Liverpool’s Premier League defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. However, he redeemed himself by demonstrating his athleticism and mobility in recent matches.
Considering his mixed debut year at Liverpool, marked by occasional brilliance but lacking consistency, his slight market depreciation is understandable. Despite not yet securing a prominent role under Klopp, he remains one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders with significant potential.
Arne Slot may have indeed secured a valuable asset in Gravenberch, who could excel in a deeper midfield role and potentially address his previous shortcomings.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot May Be Paving the Way for a Talented Liverpool Youngster to Break Into the First-team
