'The whole package': Tim Sherwood says Liverpool have a player who 'looks like he owns the pitch' this season
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Liverpool enjoyed a good weekend in the Premier League as they moved up to second position.
The Reds took advantage of Arsenal facing off against Manchester City to move ahead of the Gunners and to within a point of league leaders City.
There was plenty to be positive about for Liverpool as they swept Bournemouth aside to win 3-0.
Alan Shearer named three Liverpool players in his team of the week, while Arne Slot deserves praise for the way he and his team have bounced back from the defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Even during that surprise loss against Forest, though, Ryan Gravenberch was still standing out. The 22-year-old has probably been Liverpool’s best player so far this season.
And according to former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood, Gravenberch could well be the ‘whole package’ as a midfielder.
Tim Sherwood hails Ryan Gravenberch
It has been some turnaround for Gravenberch. After ending the season out of Liverpool’s XI, he faced a bit of an uncertain time under Slot.
There were even numerous reports during the summer that Gravenberch could be sold, with Galatasaray heavily linked with the Dutchman.
Liverpool’s interest in Martin Zubimendi suggested that Slot did not see the former Bayern Munich midfielder as part of his best XI.
However, the Reds’ failure to land Zubimendi has allowed Gravenberch to truly show his best self.
READ MORE: Ian Wright explains what he still wants to see from Ryan Gravenberch at Liverpool
And speaking on The Kelly & Wrighty Show, former midfielder Sherwood has claimed that Gravenberch is simply oozing confidence right now.
“He looks like a defensive-minded responsible footballer who can play the number six role,” says the pundit. “I saw him as a number eight.
“Yes, he didn't have a rhythm of games under Klopp, but I think he has got all the attributes to play in the six role. He's a controlling influence. He looks like when he gets the ball, it's not a hot potato. He looks like he's very confident.
“It looks like he owns the pitch when he receives the ball,” adds Sherwood. “He strolls into these areas. And when he gets past the midfield, like breaking lines with a pass, he breaks it with movement. I think he has got the whole package.”
Will Liverpool still look for a new midfielder?
Often when a player is praised in this fashion, it can come across as being over-the-top exaggerated praise.
However, in Gravenberch’s case, it’s justified. The Netherlands international has been brilliant in each and every game so far for Liverpool.
The big test now is for Gravenberch to continue that. Can he now cement his place as one of the first names on the teamsheet and not look back?
If he can do that, then it seems unlikely that Liverpool will target a new starting midfielder in January or perhaps even next summer.
Links with Zubimendi remain but for now at least it looks like the Reds are not actively planning to try again for the Spaniard. With Gravenberch in this kind of form, why would they?
