Despite how keen Liverpool were to sign a new holding midfielder in the summer, Ryan Gravenberch has had a stunning season under Arne Slot.
Gravenberch has been utilised in a number six role by Slot at Liverpool, one that was familiar to the Dutchman from his days at Ajax.
Liverpool’s midfield have been imperious this season, and perhaps one of the only times they’ve been outdone was in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe also has some seriously strong options in the middle — the likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
And when picking his Team of the Season in the Premier League, Jamie Carragher actually chose one of those Newcastle midfielders over Gravenberch, a surprising call to say the least.
Jamie Carragher picks Sandro Tonali over Ryan Gravenberch
Speaking on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, Gary Neville initially asked Carragher which one of Tonali or Guimaraes he’d potentially like to sign for Liverpool.
And after choosing Tonali, Carragher explained why he opted for the £55m Italian over Gravenberch in his Team of the Season.
Neville asked: “If you could pick one out of those two to come to your team, would it be Tonali or Guimaraes?”
Carragher replied: “Tonali, and I’ve only said that this season since he went to that [holding] role.
READ MORE: Newcastle could make unexpected move for Liverpool star Arne Slot called ‘outstanding’
“Well, Guimaraes is one for me, I think he’s a good player — the Newcastle fans love him, but they love him that much that I sometimes think, am I watching the same game for how much they love him?
Neville: “I thought he was brilliant Sunday against Arsenal.”
Carragher: “I think he’s a really good player, but I think he lacks a bit of pace. I don’t know. I just like the pace and the power of Tonali.
“When I see him getting across people, closing people down and knocking people out of the way.”
He continued: “That’s why I probably went for Tonali over Gravenberch, probably a little bit that was in my mind for how dominant Newcastle were in midfield [in the Carabao Cup final].”
Neville: “I went for Gravenberch just because of his improvement this season, I never saw that coming.”
Ian Wright then added: “I’m going for Gravenberch, because at the start of the season, we were talking about, they were talking about [Martin] Zubimendi, and then Slot has come in, he’s put him there, and he’s been brilliant.”
Liverpool’s quest to sign Alexander Isak
Of course, if Liverpool could pick any player to sign from Newcastle this summer it would surely be Isak.
Isak remains Liverpool’s number one target in terms of recruiting a number nine, even if the Swede might be very difficult to sign for Richard Hughes.
Newcastle are determined to keep Isak and securing Champions League football on Sunday should really help their cause.
Playing in Europe’s top competition won’t guarantee that Isak stays and signs a new deal, but it will certainly help any conversations.
Liverpool have found an Isak alternative, but there might still be some hope at Anfield that they can lure Newcastle’s star man.
