Advertisement

Jamie Redknapp thinks Liverpool already has its own Jude Bellingham after West Ham win

Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool
-Credit:Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images


Jamie Redknapp has claimed Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has been a ‘revelation’ this season and said his ability to play in multiple roles has been a huge advantage, highlighting a similarity between the Dutchman and Jude Bellingham.

Gravenberch was seen as a box-to-box midfielder when he joined the Reds last year from Bayern Munich but has played an integral role as a holding option this term, often alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Gravenberch has started every Premier League and Champions League game this season and has been one of the team’s standout players.

For Redknapp, a former Liverpool midfielder, he feels the Reds’ campaign could have looked very different without Gravenberch's influence. Speaking to Sky Sports, Redknapp explained how Gravenberch can play a number of positions, marking a parallel between himself and Bellingham.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher wanted Arne Slot to substitute two Liverpool players at half-time vs West Ham

READ MORE: When will Ibrahima Konate return from injury for Liverpool after Joe Gomez blow

“Gravenberch has been a revelation, he's been absolutely magnificent,” the 51-year-old said during Sky Sports’ coverage ahead of the West Ham United match. “We were there at the first game of the season [at Ipswich] and the way he played and how influential he was.

“If that would have gone the other way and maybe he struggled and didn’t do as well, they might have thought ‘he’s not the man to do this role’. They tried another couple of players in midfield.

“But because of his profile, he’s incredibly tall, he’s athletic, can drive with the ball, he’s comfortable in all types of situations. We label players ‘you’re a 6, you’re an 8, you’re a 10’. He is more than that. He can play as a 6 but because he’s so comfortable on the ball, he can play like a no.8 or a no.10.

“He’s a modern-day midfield player - I find it quite frustrating when we label players, especially young players, because he’s such a talented guy. He can do everything and if you see him pop up in higher areas, Mac Allister can drop in - that can work - because this is modern-day football.”

Gravenberch’s versatility is reminiscent of Bellingham, a player the Reds previously tried to sign. He wore 22 for former clubs Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund as 4,8 and 10 equal 22 (no.4 and no.6 are often used interchangeably). However, with 22 taken when he signed for Real Madrid, the England international chose no.5 which was previously worn by Zinedine Zidane.