Ryan Gravenberch might be one of Liverpool’s most important players, and Andoni Iraola’s latest comments explain exactly why.
The Liverpool manager has revealed just how highly he rates the Dutchman, describing him as a natural No.8 while admitting he can also do a job as a defensive midfielder, a No.10 and even at right-back.
Apparently, Gravenberch has even filled in at centre-back during certain moments. Is there anything this lad cannot do?
Speaking about the midfielder, Iraola said:
“I think if you asked me where is his position he suits best, I think he is a No.8 but he can do a job at 6 and he won the league there. He can do a job at right-back like the other day. At No.10 he can do a job.”
He added:
“He played as a centre-back at certain moments, so he is very valuable because he is versatile. At this time you need help in other positions and he can help. We have lost Frimpong and Bradley.”
Those comments tell us plenty about how Iraola views Gravenberch. He is not simply a midfielder who does one job well. He is a player the manager can move around when circumstances demand it.
And with Liverpool struggling for options at right-back, that versatility has become particularly useful.
No.8 Should Be His Best Position
For me, Iraola has got it right when he identifies the No.8 role as Gravenberch’s best position.
There is something about watching him carry the ball through midfield when he has space to drive forward. He has the physicality to ride challenges, the technical ability to escape pressure and the confidence to take the ball into areas where other players might turn backwards.
That is what makes him such an exciting midfielder.
He can help Liverpool progress up the pitch rather than simply move the ball from side to side. When he gets his head up and starts driving into space, he can change the tempo of an attack almost instantly.
Of course, he can play deeper. He has already shown that he can operate as a No.6, and his experience in that role helped him win the Premier League with Liverpool in the previous campaign.
But I would rather see him given the freedom to influence games further forward when the team has the right balance behind him.
Liverpool need midfielders who can break lines and carry the ball into dangerous areas. Gravenberch has those qualities, and I would hate to see them restricted by asking him to spend too much time protecting the defence.
Iraola’s Right-Back Experiment Shows His Value
The manager’s comments about Gravenberch playing at right-back are particularly interesting.
Liverpool have lost both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley to injury, leaving Iraola short of natural options on that side of the defence.
Against Villarreal, the manager responded by moving Gravenberch into the position after half-time.
It was an unusual decision, but Iraola explained that he wanted somebody who could defend the spaces Villarreal were creating in midfield while also helping Rio Ngumoha going forward.
It was a tactical solution to a specific problem rather than a declaration that Gravenberch should become a full-back.
And that distinction matters.
Gravenberch can help Liverpool in that position, but that does not automatically make it the best place for him. His ability on the ball and his contribution in midfield are too valuable to overlook.
There is also a defensive trade-off. Playing out of position against dangerous opponents brings different challenges, and Liverpool cannot assume that a midfielder will provide the same defensive instincts as a specialist right-back.
Still, Iraola deserves credit for finding a way to use the players available to him. With injuries affecting his options, having someone as adaptable as Gravenberch can make a real difference.
Liverpool Need to Get the Balance Right
This is where the manager faces an important decision.
Gravenberch is valuable because he can cover several positions, but Liverpool must be careful not to turn that versatility into a reason to keep moving him around.
There is a danger that a player becomes so useful as a solution to other problems that his own best role gets overlooked.
We have seen how important midfield balance can be for Liverpool. When the midfield is functioning properly, the team can control possession, win the ball back and get its attacking players involved. When that balance disappears, the defence can become exposed and the forwards are left fighting for scraps.
Gravenberch should be a central part of solving that problem.
I want to see him playing in midfield, using his strength and ability to carry the ball to help Liverpool control matches. There will be occasions when he needs to play deeper, and the current injury situation may require another temporary spell at right-back.
But those should be decisions made for the benefit of the team, not a permanent change to his role.
A Player Iraola Clearly Trusts
The most encouraging part of Iraola’s comments is the confidence he has in Gravenberch.
Managers value players who can adapt without making a fuss, particularly when injuries force them to change their plans. Gravenberch appears willing to do whatever is needed, whether that means operating in his preferred midfield role or helping out elsewhere.
That attitude is important during a demanding season.
Liverpool need players who can respond when things do not go according to plan, and Gravenberch is giving Iraola that flexibility.
But the Dutchman is more than just a useful option to plug gaps. He has the quality to be one of Liverpool’s leading midfielders for years to come.
For me, the No.8 role is where Gravenberch can make his biggest impact, and that is where Liverpool should look to get the best out of him.
His versatility is a bonus, especially with Frimpong and Bradley missing. It should not become a distraction from what he does best.
Iraola clearly recognises how valuable he is. Now Liverpool need to make sure they use that talent in the right way.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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