Liverpool's future Ballon d'Or winner was an absolute STEAL

Liverpool had three players on the Ballon d’Or shortlist in 2025.

Mohamed Salah finished adrift of the podium in fourth place - with Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk even further back.

It’s been a quarter of a century since a Liverpool player took home the biggest individual prize in the game - when Michael Owen earned the Ballon d’Or in 2001.

If the club manage to defend their Premier League title - and go far in the Champions League - then it would be no surprise to see some Reds back among the contenders next year.

Gravenberch rises to the challenge

And the most likely candidate has been named by a long-term Ballon d’Or voter. Ryan Gravenberch, 23, has been the revelation of the Arne Slot era.

From a bit-part player in Jurgen Klopp’s first season to title-winning mainstay, the Dutchman is now legitimately among the best No6s in the world.

His form has continued into this season and the defensive midfielder has also added goals to his game.

Gravenberch is the complete midfield all-rounder - with Süleyman Öztürk from Voetbal International now tipping him as the ONLY Dutchman that is capable of winning the award.

Gravenberch 'a potential Ballon d'or candidate'

"Gravenberch is a potential Ballon d'Or candidate, perhaps the only Dutchman who can seriously claim it at the moment,” he writes.

“If he maintains his current form for a full season and wins the Champions League with Liverpool, a top-three finish in the Ballon d'Or is not unrealistic.

“Everything seems to be coming together for Gravenberch now. He has the experience and the age to understand what he needs to perform.

“Moreover, Liverpool is a fantastic club to fulfil his potential, with a manager who trusts him."

Gravenberch was an absolute STEAL

Gravenberch joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich back in 2023 for around £34m and is under contract at Anfield until 2028.

Club bosses would like to tie him down to a long-term deal - with Real Madrid among those known to be keen on the Netherlands’ international.

He has been a player transformed under the tutelage of Slot - who converted him from a No8 to the world-class defensive midfield leader he is today.

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