The Reds have secured the future of their midfield by tying Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch to a new long-term contract at Anfield.
Gravenberch joined the club from Bayern Munich three seasons ago, and his new deal, which was signed at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre, now ensures that he will remain at the club until 2032, which is six seasons from now.
£34.2 million is what the Reds paid Bayern for the AFC Ajax Amsterdam academy graduate, and in two seasons, he sealed his place in the Reds’ starting XI. He was a key cog in the Liverpool machine that won the Premier League last season and is still a mainstay in Arne Slot’s team.
The move to renew Gravenberch’s contract ensures that Liverpool has a base on which to build their midfield around in the midst of several touted departures.
“I feel really, really good,” Gravenberch told Liverpoolfc.com. “I was really proud to extend my contract at such a big club. So, I’m really happy that I can stay for many more years.
“I felt directly the trust from the club and also from the manager. The decision for me was easy to make. My family is also happy here. We have been here almost three years, so I know everything already. I’m happy that I’m here.”
He continued, “For the short term, my aim is to end the season as well as possible. And for the long term: win many more trophies with Liverpool.
“I have a really nice relationship with [the fans]. Always when I do something good in the stadium, I hear them singing my chant.
“I’m really grateful for the supporters because without them we would not be where we are now. In the future, we want to give them many more [trophies], so hopefully we can get that done.”
Sky Sports’ Rich Morgan and Nick Wright believe that it is the right move by Liverpool, even though the Dutchman has not hit the heights he hit last season.
“There were some raised eyebrows when Liverpool spent £34.2m to sign Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day in September 2023, but the midfielder’s new long-term deal shows what a good piece of business that was by the Reds,” Morgan wrote.
“However, a new head coach led to a change in positions for the flexible Gravenberch, with Arne Slot opting to play the 23-year-old as a No. 6, putting out fires in front of the back four, a switch that partly proved key in Liverpool going on to win last season’s Premier League.
“The always-smiling and serene Dutchman was outstanding in the holding role, playing 37 of Liverpool’s 38 league games en route to the title and being crowned young player of the season as a result.
“And while Gravenberch has largely failed to hit those heights so far this campaign, like many of his teammates during a failed title defence, his overall importance to the team has been shown by the offer of this six-year contract extension.”