Owen Hargreaves tells Ryan Gravenberch he made a mistake in build-up to Wolves goal
Owen Hargreaves believes Liverpool still needs to sign a genuine defensive midfielder, despite how well Ryan Gravenberch has started the season.
Gravenberch has operated in the No.6 role in Arne Slot's side after the Reds missed out on primary target Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window, with the Spanish midfielder turning down a move to Anfield in favour of remaining at Real Sociedad.
The young Dutchman has thrived in the position, picking up several man-of-the-match awards at the beginning of the season, and while Hargreaves praised the job he has been doing, the former England international thinks Arne Slot will still dip into the transfer market to sign a more natural combative midfielder.
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"He's done brilliantly well," Hargreaves told Premier League Productions. "But he's not a defensive midfield player, which is fine when you play teams like this, which you'll beat. He's 190cm tall, he's 22 years old, he's got everything but he's not a specialist defensive midfield player.
"He's a brilliant midfield player, he's a box-to-box - depending on who you play - but I think in a big game, in a one-off game to go and win a Premier League or the Champions League, I think you need specialists. Liverpool showed that with Fabinho, City showed that with Rodri.
"I think they'll still address this position, but credit to Gravenberch, he's grabbed his chance and that's all you need. They said to him, 'what's different (this season)?', and he said, 'just play me,' and that's what you need as a player. You need someone to trust you and he's proven it.
"I do think tougher tests will come... Even the goal today, that's Liverpool's midfield, he (Gravenberch) goes to press early, and as a defensive midfielder you've got to be there on counter-attacks, and that's one of the most important things. I love what he's doing, but I still think they'll go and get somebody."
Hargreaves went on to list the height in Liverpool's team as one of its great strengths after Ibrahima Konate netted a header from Diogo Jota's cross to open the scoring at Molineux.
"I think Diogo Jota is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League," Hargreaves added. "In terms of finishing, he's brilliant at finishing, but what a ball this is with his left foot. He stands it up for Konate, and the one thing you would say about Liverpool is they have size on their side. They've got Konate, Van Dijk, Szoboszlai, Gakpo - there are big players there if you need them."