“He was a little bit of nothing” - Jamie Carragher offers honest opinion on Liverpool star

Liverpool legend and pundit Jamie Carragher has shared his thoughts on midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season. The Dutch midfielder has been important for Arne Slot's side as they sit comfortably atop the league standings midway through the 2024-25 season.

Gravenberch joined the Reds from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 and was a bit-part player in Jurgen Klopp's side in his final season at Anfield. Slot's arrival in the summer, however, has given his compatriot a new lease of life, as he has become a mainstay in the Liverpool XI.

Jamie Carragher named Ryan Gravenberch as the surprise of the season in a session on Sky Sports, saying that the Dutchman has surprised him. He shared that last season he thought of the midfielder as a "little bit of nothing" as he appeared not to have any standout characteristics.

He said (via Rousing The Kop):

“I think he (Gravenberch) has been the surprise of the season, in a really good way. When he came in last season, I saw him as a number eight or an attacking midfielder. He was a little bit of nothing, if I’m being totally honest.

"To think he’s now become one of the most disciplined midfield players in the Premier League right now – playing a vital role in protecting the back four – I think he’s been an absolute revelation this season.”

Ryan Gravenberch got his big break this season after Arne Slot decided to play him ahead of Wataru Endo in defensive midfield. The former Ajax man was helped by the club's failure to land Martin Zubimendi in the summer and has taken his opportunities with both hands.

Gravenberch has appeared in all 18 of the Reds' league games this season, completing 90 minutes on all but three occasions. He has also played in all six of their UEFA Champions League games, playing the full game each time.

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Liverpool turn down Real Madrid approach for unsettled star - Reports

A report from The Guardian has revealed that Liverpool have rebuffed an approach from Real Madrid for the transfer of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in January. Los Blancos' inquiry was turned down before they got a chance to offer a fee to buy out the remainder of Alexander-Arnold's contract.

Alexander-Arnold will be out of a contract at the end of the 2024-25 season, and Liverpool are in active talks with his representatives over a new deal. The deal has yet to be struck, leading to talk of the 26-year-old favoring a move to Spain.

Real Madrid will not be deterred and will instead look to sign the English right-back as a free agent this summer. They will try to get him to sign a pre-contract agreement with them from January 1, as they see him as the long-term replacement for Dani Carvajal.