Liverpool have signed future Ballon d'Or winner for only €40m

Liverpool last had a midfield refit back in 2023. We saw big-name players depart - such as Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo.

It was a time of renewal and replenishment in Liverpool’s midfield ranks and it’s fair to say the decision has paid off. Wataru Endo has established himself as a key cog in Arne Slot’s regime - being summoned often to close out games and see through results.

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Alexis Mac Allister - meanwhile - has gone from strength to strength since joining from Brighton. He is on the Ballon d’Or list for 2025 and brings World Cup-winning class to Liverpool’s middle.

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Then there’s Dominik Szoboszlai. It’s taken the Hungarian captain a while to find his best form on a consistent basis but there is no one right now that you’d swap him for.

€40m for Gravenberch

He has been immense this season having played his part in securing the 2024/25 Premier League title. But the biggest praise here is being reserved for Ryan Gravenberch.

Former sporting director Jorg Schmadtke and ex-coach Jurgen Klopp spotted a unique opportunity to add the Dutchman for only €40m from Bayern Munich.

That price tag with each passing game looks more and more obscene because the 23-year-old is now the best No6 in the world.

Gravenberch OUTSTANDING against Atletico

Witness his game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night for evidence of this.

He is capable of winning the ball back and stamping his authority in the middle of the park - coming out on top in seven duels, winning the ball back six times and making two tackles.

And going forward he is showing a playmaker’s touch. On Wednesday he created a goal for Mohamed Salah - his first assist of the season - and created two chances in total.

Macca on the Ballon d'Or shortlist

The Netherlands’ international is the total midfield package - utterly transformed from a bit-part player under Klopp to one of the first names on the teamsheet.

This Liverpool side are going places.

They will be well fancied to retain their Premier League title and should also go far in the Champions League.

Seeing Mac Allister on the Ballon d’Or shortlist should give Gravenberch the belief that he too will get there sometime soon - because right now he is outperforming the Argentine as well as the other midfielders on the list.

If Rodri can win it, so can Gravenberch

And seeing Rodri winning the award for his part in winning the treble for Manchester City should bring even more encouragement. That was the moment midfielders realised their often unheralded roles could be merited with the top prizes.

There isn’t a player in the world game right now like Gravenberch - and he looks like a Ballon d’Or nominee in waiting one day. For €40m, Liverpool look to have pulled off the bargain of the decade.

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