Liverpool linked with long-time Man Utd transfer target

Robin Bairner

• 24 Feb 2023 12:32 GMT
• 11 min read

Liverpool’s search for a solution in their problem midfield could see them turn to a player who has been linked with a move for Manchester United for years: Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have seen their form slump this season, with the Anfield side struggling by their lofty standards in the Premier League and facing last-16 elimination in the Champions League following a 5-2 loss against Real Madrid at home on Tuesday.

The midfield has found itself at the sharp end of the debate as to where Klopp’s men are failing, with the drop off in form from the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho alarming.

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Come the summer, it is expected that Liverpool will invest heavily in this sector. Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham has been linked with a move to the Reds, but the prospects of a deal being completed hang in the balance given the interest over the England star as well as a potential lack of Champions League football at Anfield.

Now Gravenberch is linked with Klopp’s men by German source Sport1.

Long considered to be one of the big hopes of Dutch football, he left Ajax to sign for Bayern in the summer but has failed to make a positive impression at the Allianz Arena.

Manchester United had long been linked with a move for the 20-year-old, and even in January it was suggested they could make a late play for him before eventually plumping for club-mate Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrian has made such a strong impression he could potentially stay at Old Trafford.

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Why Liverpool want Gravenberch

Gravenberch is a viable target for Liverpool. He has played only 325 minutes of Bundesliga football this season and faces a major challenge to break into one of the best midfields in the world game.

At Anfield, though, he would retain the prestige of playing for one of the world’s biggest clubs but would have the opportunity to be a central piece of their plans.

And he should not be written off just because of his challenging spell at Bayern. After all, the above interactive graphic shows that he was one of the Eredivisie’s standout midfielders in 2021/22.