Liverpool’s bold decision could be about to pay off as the £34m transfer continues to bounce back

From the moment Ryan Gravenberch set foot in the AXA Training Center, he played catch-up. The Dutchman arrived at Kirkby on transfer deadline day last September, by which time Liverpool had already played three Premier League games.

He was not present for Jurgen Klopp’s infamous lactate test, nor for the Reds’ pre-season trip to Singapore, instead representing Holland at the European Under-21 Championship before linking up with his Bayern Munich team-mates in Tokyo . It hadn’t been a particularly happy union between Gravenberch and the Bavarians, with the midfielder moving to Germany from Ajax the previous summer.

Despite winning the Bundesliga in his debut season at the Allianz Arena, the 22-year-old started just three top-flight games for his new side and was fully aware that he was not in Thomas Tuchel’s future plans. Bayern, however, were adamant that he is not for sale.

But their resolve was tested and finally broken in the final 72 hours of the window when a £34million deal was struck with Liverpool, whose interest in Gravenberch dates back to his days at Ajax. “Very happy to bring him in because he is an exceptional talent,” Klopp said after the midfielder put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

“We have signed a very good player and now let’s help him get the best out of him.” Despite making 38 appearances in all competitions last term, it’s fair to say fans have yet to see the best of Gravenberch in Liverpool colours.

After an eye-catching first start at Anfield against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League – in which he scored to become the first Reds player to register a goal in each of his first three starts for the club since Milan Baros in 2002 – Gravenberch’s form has been patchy and he has struggled to convince Klopp of his willingness to become a regular in the team.

“Ryan is still the talent, 21, we always forget that and he didn’t play much last year,” the former Liverpool boss told TNT Sports in January. “He had outstanding performances where he was man of the match for us domestically and other games where you think ‘where was he actually today?’ It’s completely normal developmentally.”

Klopp, of course, was right to urge caution. Despite Gravenberch’s obvious pedigree, he is still a young player and as such should by no means be the finished article.

However, as new head coach Arne Slot tries to assess all his options before the start of the Premier League season, it is crucial that Gravenberch is ready to show his compatriot exactly what he can do. That’s why Liverpool’s latest squad update is so encouraging, with Dutch midfielder and France defender Ibrahima Konate now confirmed to join the Reds in Philadelphia next week.

The duo were granted an extended holiday after being called up to represent their respective countries at Euro 2024. Although neither player actually took part in the tournament, both remained in camp in Germany until the semi-finals and, therefore, they enjoyed limited time off this summer.

While a number of other internationals, including club captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, are not set to report for duty until Slott’s side return to Merseyside, Gravenberch will receive a much-needed boost when it will land in the field. USA in the coming days.

Last September, the midfielder turned down the chance to represent the Netherlands Under-21s against Moldova and North Macedonia, opting instead to stay at Liverpool and familiarize himself with his new surroundings. His decision was not well received in his home country – with first-team boss Ronald Koeman saying the midfielder had abdicated his “duty” – but it was a sign of his desire to hit the ground running at his new club.

With Alexis Mac Allister still absent from Argentina’s Copa America triumph and Bobby Clark omitted from Slott’s squad for the US tour as he recovers from a back injury, there is now a golden opportunity for Gravenberch to make his case for a place in Liverpool’s XI as new. The head coach is keen to make a winning start to life at Anfield.

Of course, the purpose of the Reds’ trip across the Atlantic is primarily to improve their fitness and familiarize themselves with the boss’s style of play. The upcoming games against Arsenal and Manchester United are designed to allow both players and staff to assess where they stand before the start of the new campaign.

But if Gravenberch can garner attention in the coming weeks, he could find himself starting next season on the front foot.