Liverpool told to get 'very excited' about star who 'can be better than Jude Bellingham'

Liverpool have been told to get excited about Ryan Gravenberch as he can be better than Jude Bellingham. The Reds signed the midfielder from Bayern Munich after shelling out just over £34million on transfer deadline day last summer.

Gravenberch underwhelmed during Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign at Anfield as he started just 12 Premier League matches.

But he has been an ever-present so far under compatriot Arne Slot and helped Liverpool win all three of their encounters ahead of the international break.

Slot has found a formula to get more from Gravenberch, who bagged an assist during the Netherlands’ 2-2 Nations League draw with Germany on Tuesday night.

And Tottenham hero Rafael van der Vaart has doubled down on his praise for Gravenberch after comparing the player to Bellingham last year.

“I took quite a lot of stick when I said Ryan Gravenberch has the potential to be better than Jude Bellingham a year or so ago, but I stand by it,” Van der Vaart told BetMGM.

“I’ve always said the sky’s the limit for him if he can use his full potential and ability, so I’m not surprised by how good he’s been this season both for Liverpool and the Netherlands.

“Arne Slot has found a spot for him in the team at Liverpool and he’s thriving – you just have to look at the pass he played against Germany on Tuesday to show this is a player who has everything required to go right to the top.

“He’s strong, quick and intelligent – Liverpool fans should be very excited about what’s to come.”

Gravenberch was part of the Netherlands squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 in the summer before losing to England. But the 22-year-old didn’t make it onto the pitch once.

He has impressed for his country over the last week, however, with the Netherlands thrashing Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-2 ahead of their draw with Germany.

Before the new campaign got underway, Slot discussed Gravenberch occupying the No. 6 role as he explained: “He has to develop in that position – that’s also clear – but he’s comfortable with the ball. He can run, he can keep running.”

And Van der Vaart also paid tribute to the Liverpool manager as he added: “A lot of people didn’t know too much about Slot before he came to Liverpool, but I’m his biggest fan and have been for a long time. Some of the football his Feyenoord team played was unbelievable, particularly as he did [it] with only okay players.”