Ever since Fabinho departed Liverpool in 2023, the Reds have failed to replace the Brazilian with someone who can match the elite levels he displayed.
Fabinho was a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s side that delivered domestic and European success to Anfield during the German’s tenure.
The midfielder won a UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and an FA Community Shield during his stay on Merseyside.
READ MORE: Liverpool No.1 target regrets not joining Liverpool
The Brazilian spent five years at Anfield before leaving for Al Ittihad in 2023 for a fee of £40 million.
Since his departure, the Reds have failed to land any of their targets to replace the 30-year-old over the previous two summers.
Chelsea duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both opted for big-money moves to the London club last summer whilst Martin Zubimendi expressed his desire to reject Liverpool to stay put at his boyhood club Real Sociedad last month.
Liverpool fans have understandably expressed their concerns with the Reds’ inability to lure their priority targets to Anfield in recent summers, but could the club have signed their Fabinho replacement without realising at the time?
Ryan Gravenberch‘s performances so far this season suggest they may have just done that.
The Dutchman has been the highlight at the beginning of the Arne Slot era having produced Man of the Match performances in every outing so far this campaign.
The 22-year-old joined the Reds from Bayern Munich last summer in a bid to bolster Liverpool’s midfield ranks but struggled to make a real impact in Jurgen Klopp’s final season.
Though, in Slot’s system, Gravenberch has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, and may be the answer to Liverpool’s recent midfield issues.
GRAVENBERCH CURRENTLY OUTPLAYING 19/20 FABINHO
It was hard to disagree with the arrangement of Fabinho being the best central defensive midfielder on the planet in Liverpool’s Premier League-winning season.
His ability to snuff out danger, cover the flanks to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to shine, while also chipping in with crucial goals – such as his strike against Manchester City at home – separated him from the rest of the players in his position.
However, over the last year, Gravenberch has outperformed the Brazilian’s 2019/20 campaign in multiple areas.
According to FBref and Opta, the Dutchman is currently superior in areas of offensive and defensive situations.
Gravenberch currently has the edge in offensive stats such as progressive passes, successful take-ons, progressive carries and goals.
In defensive actions, Fabinho arguably remains superior, but Gravenberch’s ability to block opposition efforts trumps the Brazilian while only being marginally behind him in stats including tackles and interceptions.
📊📈Just to give you an idea of the level we are talking about with Ryan Gravenberch⤵️
On par with 19/20 Fabinho, arguably at the peak of his powers.👀
Gravenberch is only 22, by the way. He’s not even the best version of himself yet.🤯
And that’s terrifying, but not for us. pic.twitter.com/D16Xhfu0r7
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) September 18, 2024
Despite Slot’s style slightly differing from Klopp’s, with the Reds now playing with a double pivot – potentially providing Gravenberch with more offensive opportunities – the performances the Dutch international is currently putting in, at such a tender age, shouldn’t go unnoticed with Liverpool potentially having one of the best midfielders in Europe at their disposal for years to come.
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