It was obvious to one of his old international colleagues that, even at the age of just 16, Liverpool’s £34 million soon-to-be Premier League champion had something special.

To think, it is only six years or so since Ryan Gravenberch was playing alongside Mohamed Ihattaren for the Netherlands’ Under-19 side.

Two uber-talented playmakers seemingly destined for the very top of the European game.



It’s fair to say their careers have gone in very different directions since then.

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Because while Ihattaren is looking to make up for lost time at RKC Waalwijk – the mercurial midfielder bouncing back after an ill-fated switch to Juventus from PSV Eindhoven – Gravenberch has become a driving force behind Arne Slot’s successful first season in the Anfield dugout.

Liverpool can actually be crowned Premier League champions on Sunday away at Leicester City.

Provided, of course, that Arsenal suffer a shock defeat at Ipswich Town a few hours earlier.

Reds legend Sammy Lee summed it up neatly in midweek when he said Gravenberch is ‘flourishing’ under Arne Slot.



Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Ihattaren, meanwhile, certainly buys into the theory that Ryan Gravenberch is ‘good enough for Real Madrid’.

Comments made by the former Ajax and Bayern Munich starlet’s agent last week may not have gone down particularly well at Anfield – even if Jose Fortes adds that Gravenberch leaving Merseyside is currently ‘impossible’ – but you can understand his point.

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After a difficult debut year in English football, Gravenberch has now undoubtedly proven himself as a footballer who belongs amongst the world’s elite.

“He is a player for Real Madrid, bro,” Ihattaren tells Supergaande.

Now, he’s doing it in the Premier League, and everyone loves him.”

Talking of ‘proof’, Gravenberch could hardly have issued a more thundering riposte to those questioning his ability to influence proceedings at the very highest level.

That’s who he really is.”

While yet to open his Premier League account for 2024/25, it is telling that Gravenberch has been an ever-present in Slot’s XI.
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