Bayern Munich’s former technical director Marco Neppe has revealed he never doubted Ryan Gravenberch ’s ability and said it was due to unfortunate circumstances that he never got his chance at the Allianz Arena.
The Dutchman spent a solitary season at Bayern in 2022/23 and managed just three Bundesliga starts, despite joining from Ajax with high expectations. He failed to dislodge more experienced midfielders Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich and was allowed to leave just 15 months after his initial arrival.
Gravenberch then endured a tough first season at Anfield as he adapted to the Premier League and again found himself mainly operating as a back-up. He started just 12 league matches all season, playing primarily in a box-to-box role.
But Gravenberch has excelled since switching to a defensive position under Arne Slot. Last weekend’s defeat to Chelsea was the first league match he has missed this season, and Gravenberch’s relationship with Alexis Mac Allister has proved pivotal to Liverpool securing a record-equalling 20th top-flight title.
Despite his unconvincing season in Bavaria, Neppe never had any doubts Gravenberch would succeed elsewhere.
“I am super happy for Ryan,” he told Sky Sports in a recent interview. “He is a special midfielder.
“When we signed him from Ajax, we were 100 percent convinced. And, honestly, we never doubted his qualities. We knew he would bring it someday.
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“We saw exactly what he is now showing at Liverpool. But sometimes it is about needing some patience too. Even in his first season at Liverpool, it was not easy.
“It is a momentum thing. There are so many stories in football where big careers start because of an injury to another player and they take their chance.
“Look at Alphonso Davies, the start of his career at Bayern was due to the fact that David Alaba and Lucas Hernandez were injured at the same moment. He got his opportunity. But it is not luck. In the long run, these players will always show their level.”
(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Gravenberch was a surprise omission from the squad at Stamford Bridge last weekend, with Slot decision to rest the midfielder ending his streak of starting every single Premier League match of the campaign.
He has been one of the standout players this season and is likely to be among those nominated for the individual awards at the end of the campaign. The 22-year-old was even compared to two World Cup winners recently by ex-Arsenal defender Tony Adams.
“I love Gravenberch. I don’t think we have spoken about him enough. He’s a bit like Declan Rice has been for Arsenal. That player is so vital. Every squad I won the title with, I had a player in there who motivated the team, been there week in, week out.
“I go Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit… it is so important to have that [type of] player in there. He has been brought into this team, and it’s like he has played there for years.”
