Jamie Carragher has said that Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch should be considered for Player of the Year should the Reds go on to win the Premier League title. The midfielder has also been compared to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Gravenberch has been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League so far this season. Arne Slot was keen to strengthen his midfield in the summer window, but with a deal for Martin Zubimendi falling through, Gravenberch was given his chance.

It is one he has taken with both hands. The Dutchman has become a key player in the team that sits at the top of the Premier League table and have just booked their place in the Carabao Cup final.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher sends clear Liverpool message as inevitable Mikel Arteta prediction made

READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold sends Liverpool message after Tottenham Carabao Cup semi-final win

Gravenberch arrived from Bayern Munich in 2023. Carragher says he was originally brought to the club to play a slightly different role to the one he plays now.

“It's really interesting, when he was brought in from Bayern Munich, they obviously thought a lot of him, so you're thinking, 'why have they let him go?' The reason is they played a different system, two midfielders - a six and an eight - while Jurgen Klopp played 4-3-3,” he said on Sky Sports.

“The idea here is that he was an attacking midfielder and would go on runs, when Liverpool were trialing out sixes, Jones did it, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, he was almost trialing players in case they didn't get Zubimendi. The idea was he was more of an attacking player, when they decided [to play him there] not that I couldn't believe it, I was intrigued but couldn't see how it would work.

“Bayern Munich had him in that position and said he can't do it, that's why Liverpool signed him. The highest compliment I can give him, if Liverpool go on to win the league, he'd be in the running for Player of the Year.”

The Liverpool hero then suggested who Gravenberch’s performances so far this season in the more defensive role, remind him of

“A player he is reminiscent of, not quite there yet, is Patrick Vieira," Carragher added. "Those longs legs, the way they move, it's Vieira-like, they can't keep up with him - he's been a revelation.”

The 22-year-old has started every Premier League game for Liverpool so far this season. He could be rested for the weekend’s FA Cup fourth round against Plymouth with one eye on the crucial Merseyside derby at Goodison Park next Wednesday.