Ian Wright names Liverpool player that the club have 'struck gold' with after star form

Ian Wright has hailed Liverpool star Ryan Gravenberch for his early season form after the club’s failure to secure Martin Zubimendi in the summer.

After months of biding their time, Liverpool exploded into life in the transfer window revealing their ploy to sign the Spanish midfielder for a fee that was reported around £51m. However, he did what was seen as unthinkable at that time - he rejected the move.

When the window slammed shut with no additions to note, fans were concerned over whether not signing anyone in that deep-lying midfield role would hold them back under Arne Slot. But the Dutch boss placed his faith in Gravenberch who has been one of the star midfielder performers of the season so far across all teams.

Forming a strong partnership with Alexis Mac Allister, he has stood out and looks to get better with each passing game. And Wright believes he has ‘all the attributes’ but named one thing he wants to see first before going overboard on the praise. “You could say that with Zubimendi not going through, they could have really unearthed the one for themselves now,” he said on the Kelly and Wrighty show.

“Because when you watch those games, and obviously, we want to see him against the maybe the top three, top four, and if he’s putting in those kind of performances, then obviously Liverpool have like struck gold because he seems to have everything, He has got all the attributes.”

Lying in back-up for Gravenberch is last season’s key starter Wataru Endo who was a favourite under Jurgen Klopp. His attributes differ to that of the former Ajax midfielder and any injury suffered by Gravenberch could leave Liverpool slightly exposed. It would mean a change in style in midfield if he were to come into the side which is one area of potential weakness that could emerge over the course of a long campaign.

Regarding Zubimendi and any future move however, we will have to wait and see how this season fares for Liverpool. If Gravenberch fades across the season and it becomes a problem area then we could see them invest next summer. As it stands, it’s the opposite, as we’re all waiting to see just how good Gravenberch can be and whether he can keep it up.