Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed his admiration for the club’s recent signing, Ryan Gravenberch, dating back to their encounter with him while he played for Ajax in the 2020-21 Champions League.
Gravenberch, who recently joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day, has signed a long-term contract with the club.
The Red’s interest in the Dutch maestro dates back to April, and the midfielder later expressed his desire to explore the opportunity to leave Bayern Munich after just one season with the team.
As part of their summer rebuild, the English giants secured three new midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo.
They also made efforts to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, although Chelsea ultimately secured those transfers.
In the closing days of the summer transfer window, Liverpool made a late push to acquire the 21-year-old midfielder, successfully finalizing his signing just before the deadline on Friday.
In an interview with the club’s official website, Klopp expressed his happiness about finally securing the signing of the former Bayern star.
“Really happy to bring him in because he’s an exceptional talent. Everybody knows that. He is 21, played over 100 games for Ajax already”
“Had a, I wouldn’t even say difficult season at Bayern because in that age group it’s completely normal; you go into a world-class team and he had his minutes and stuff like this.”
“But, Ajax, OK in the moment they have to rebuild their team as well, but the team they had before with him, with [Frenkie] De Jong, with all these boys, that was a really, really good team and playing the way they play is great.”
Gravenberch has become Liverpool’s fourth summer signing after successfully completing his medical and finalizing the deal at the AXA Training Centre today.
After graduating from AFC Ajax’s renowned youth academy, he emerged as the club’s youngest debutant at the age of 16 and went on to win three Eredivisie titles, earning the division’s Talent of the Year award in 2021.
The midfielder also contributed to two Dutch cup triumphs, with his goal in the 2021 final helping Ajax secure a 2-1 victory over Vitesse Arnhem.
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During his time in Amsterdam, he made 103 appearances, including 14 starts in the Champions League, and contributed to 25 goals in all competitions.
Last summer, Gravenberch made a move to Bayern Munich and featured in 33 matches during the 2022-23 season, adding a Bundesliga winner’s medal to his list of honours.
Now, at the age of 21, he embarks on a new chapter in his career with Klopp’s Liverpool team.
