Liverpool missed key points in the 2024/25 Premier League title battle after drawing 2-2 with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa – and fans of the former are feeling more sad for one player in particular, who had a rough night at Villa Park.
Arne Slot’s side left the West Midlands with a share of the spoils, and they now have an eight-point lead over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have a match in hand – a home fixture against rival capital club West Ham United this Saturday.
It will be disheartening to leave with only one point rather than three, and fans believe Slot’s choice to run Ryan Gravenberch into the ground harmed the Reds’ chances of defeating Emery and Co.
The Amsterdam-born enforcer has transformed into one of the finest midfielders in the world, thanks to Slot’s direction after being on the fringes of former manager Jurgen Klopp’s thinking.
But, considering that no other player in Liverpool’s team can match the former Bayern Munich hotshot’s performances, he is rarely given a break – in fact, he has started every league game this season.
And it showed against the Villans, when he played another, although lethargic, 90-minute match. He won one ground duel out of seven attempts, lost possession six times, and had a 0% dribbling success percentage (0/2).
Fans on X (previously Twitter) have noted that he appears exhausted. One person stated, “Gravenberch is dead on his feet.” Don’t care what people say, the season is catching up.” Another remarked, “Gravenberch is so so goosed.”
Another supporter lamented the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), for failing to dive into their coffers in January, when a Gravenberch constable was desperately needed. It’s a stressful situation, and ownership is to blame.
Gravenberch and Mac Allister’s energy level has finally plummeted, and it will continue to drop as the season progresses. That’s why we should have signed another high-caliber midfielder in January. Of course, FSG failed us yet again.
Another individual expressed sympathy for Gravenberch, stating, “I just feel bad for Gravenberch, he looks shattered and we have no one of similar quality to be able to replace him, we’re going to run his legs into the ground at 22 years of age.”
Gravenberch looks dead on his feet. The lad needs a rest. If slot doesn't trust endo then we should of spent in January.
— Sam Roberts 🖐🏻👍🏻 (@SamRoberts_27) February 19, 2025
For the time being – between now and the summer – Slot and his club might look to midfield enforcer Wataru Endo, who is fully capable of serving as a backup to the gangly £150,000-per-week earner, who is clearly the first choice.
Highlighting what the Japanese engine room operator can bring to the table, a final backer endorsed the concept of bringing Endo on when Gravenberch is contributing little. “Slot does not learn. “There is no Endo when Gravenberch is basically walking around the pitch at this point.”
