Slot Could Discover an Even Greater Talent Than Gravenberch in Liverpool’s “Special” Teenage Prospect
Liverpool have kicked off the 2024/25 season with the energy and determination that Jurgen Klopp would have hoped for. With a squad brimming with talent, carefully built over nearly nine years, they now have a perfect new leader in Arne Slot.
Currently, the Reds are sitting proudly at the top of the Premier League standings. While it’s still early in the season and the journey ahead is long and challenging, there are already clear signs that Liverpool are performing better than they did last year.
The first sign is their improved defence. Last season’s occasional defensive lapses appear to be behind them. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are emerging as one of the Premier League’s top defensive duos, having conceded only two goals in seven matches.
The second sign is Liverpool’s shift in playing style. They have moved away from the high-octane, fast-paced football that Klopp became known for. The team now plays with more control and patience in their attacking game. While they still retain some of the key traits from the Klopp era, the system now feels fresher, forcing their opponents to find new strategies to beat them.
The third sign is the absence of Rodri, who is injured and likely out for the rest of the season. While it’s never pleasant to celebrate a player’s injury, especially one as influential as Rodri, his absence could open the door for Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title. Rodri, hailed as “the best midfielder in the world” by his manager Pep Guardiola, is a crucial part of Manchester City’s success, and his absence could tilt the balance in Liverpool’s favour.
With Rodri sidelined, a new midfielder may step up as the best in the league, and Ryan Gravenberch is making a strong case for himself in that role.
Ryan Gravenberch’s Performance for Liverpool Under Arne Slot
Gravenberch’s continual rise may serve as a fourth indicator that Liverpool are truly in contention for the top honors.
The 22-year-old Netherlands international made the move to Liverpool from Bayern Munich last summer, with the transfer valued at £34 million. This acquisition marked Klopp’s final senior signing before his departure.
Though Gravenberch only managed to start in 12 Premier League games last season and experienced some inconsistency, he has since thrived under Slot’s guidance. Positioned deeper in a pivotal central role, he has become a highly influential player.
| Ryan Gravenberch in the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (*per game) | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
| Matches (starts) | 26 (12) | 7 (7) |
| Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Touches* | 28.8 | 81.4 |
| Shots (on target)* | 0.9 (0.3) | 0.4 (0.3) |
| Pass completion | 83% | 89% |
| Key passes* | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Dribbles completed* | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Ball recoveries* | 2.8 | 6.0 |
| Tackles + interceptions* | 1.5 | 3.8 |
| Total duels (won)* | 2.8 (47%) | 5.9 (64%) |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
What a remarkable transformation it has been, evident in his statistics across nearly every metric in the top flight this season. He is significantly exceeding the performance of his previous self in a newly defined role.
While there is still a long journey ahead, Gravenberch possesses the ability to lead Liverpool toward success. He also has the stamina, as the Dutch player has participated in every minute of his team’s Premier League and Champions League matches so far.
Although he is a considerable talent, he may not be the most prominent one at Liverpool. In fact, the club’s standout young talent may very well be someone who is not currently playing on Merseyside.
Stefan Bajcetic is a Greater Talent Than Gravenberch
Stefan Bajcetic has slipped into relative obscurity over the past year, primarily due to injuries and growth-related issues that restricted him to only three appearances throughout the last season.
During the summer, the young Spaniard focused on regaining his full fitness. However, after Slot took over from Klopp, it became apparent that the 19-year-old’s playing time would be limited. Consequently, a loan move appeared to be the most advantageous option for his development.
With Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s longtime assistant, having been appointed as the new boss of Red Bull Salzburg after leaving Liverpool at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, it seemed fitting for Bajcetic to join a club where he could develop within the framework of a coach who had a significant influence on Liverpool’s tactics during their successful era.
Although Salzburg, the dominant champions of Austria, have faced difficulties in their performances during the early months of the season, Bajcetic has stood out in Lijnders’ squad, earning praise for his “special” talent from journalist Zubin Daver.
According to Sofascore, he has averaged five tackles and interceptions per game in the Austrian Bundesliga, while also completing one dribble per match and winning 58% of his duels, averaging 5.8 duels per game. His aggressive and dedicated playing style suggests a promising future with the Reds.
There’s no doubt that Slot has taken notice. With his display of a dynamic and effective midfield style that has helped Gravenberch excel, it’s likely that he could develop into Liverpool’s key midfielder in the future. This potential is especially promising considering he has already made an impact at just 18 years old, bringing youthful energy to Klopp’s fatigued squad during the 2022/23 season.
Combining youthful enthusiasm with an impressive level of maturity, Bajcetic possesses the qualities needed to become a standout player for a top European club like Liverpool. He made 11 appearances in the Premier League that season, earning acclaim for his “special” abilities in central midfield.
Writer Leanne Prescott even said: “Staggering that Liverpool look most in control this season when 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic is playing.”
Considering all of this, Bajcetic could emerge as the ideal rival for Gravenberch in the upcoming seasons. His defensive play is more assertive, and he is establishing himself as a key player in a Salzburg team that has struggled under Lijnders.
Nonetheless, Bajcetic is holding the team together, just as he did for Liverpool during challenging times. Having overcome significant challenges at a young age, there is good reason to be optimistic—he could become a standout player in Slot’s squad.
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