From Bayern Munich Reject to Liverpool Star: Why Ryan Gravenberch Deserves a New Contract

When Ryan Gravenberch left Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, many saw it as a step down for one of Ajax’s brightest academy graduates. Fast forward just two seasons, and he’s not only become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s midfield but arguably the most important player in the Premier League’s best team.

Now, with Real Madrid reportedly circling and Liverpool looking to reward him with a bumper new contract, the conversation has shifted. Gravenberch’s story is no longer about what went wrong in Munich — it’s about how a player once on the fringes has gone from “hell to heaven,” as his father so perfectly put it.

Ryan Gravenberch and the Liverpool Transformation

Jude Bellingham Dortmund 2023 Gravenberch

It’s easy to forget that Gravenberch was not Liverpool’s first choice. In the summer of 2023, Jurgen Klopp’s side spent months chasing Jude Bellingham. When that dream fell apart, they moved for Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and finally, in a deadline-day deal, Gravenberch.

At the time, it felt like a stop-gap signing. Bayern had barely used him. He was visibly frustrated. Even he admitted later that sitting on the bench week after week in Munich made him “go crazy.” Under Julian Nagelsmann, he was competing against Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka — two German internationals that a new Bayern coach could hardly afford to drop.

“I was totally done with it,” Gravenberch later confessed. “Even when Bayern won the title, I didn’t feel like a champion.”

Liverpool changed that. By necessity more than design, Gravenberch found himself reinvented as a deep-lying No. 6 after the Reds missed out on signing Martin Zubimendi. Under Arne Slot, he hasn’t just filled the role — he has redefined it.

The Perfect No. 6 for Arne Slot’s Liverpool

FC Bayern München v Viktoria Plzen: Group C – UEFA Champions League

What makes Gravenberch so special is his ability to glide past opponents and carry the ball through midfield, creating numerical overloads in ways that very few defensive midfielders can.

“This is a special quality Ryan has,” Slot said earlier this season. “He can turn away from his man and break the press with a dribble. You don’t see many No. 6s in the game who can do that.”

The numbers back it up. Last season, Gravenberch won possession more times than any other Liverpool player (193) and led all midfielders in interceptions (60). This season, he’s already added goals and assists to his game, scoring in key fixtures against Newcastle and Everton while creating goals for Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk summed it up perfectly last weekend: “He’s in the form of his life. He’s very important to the way we play — and he’s still young. The expectation level is right up there now, and that’s the challenge: to keep delivering every three or four days.”

From Anfield Outsider to Fan Favourite

For a player who once looked lost, the transformation has been staggering. One moment in particular stands out for Gravenberch’s father, who spoke about it emotionally to ESPN.

“One minute before the game ended against Brentford, Arne took Ryan off so he could get the applause,” he said. “The whole stadium stood up. I just broke down because I thought: ‘They’re doing this for my boy.’ That’s when I knew — this is it.”

Gravenberch himself admits that Liverpool’s Premier League triumph last season was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

“The bus ride to Anfield before the Spurs game, the flares, the noise, the faces of the fans — I’ll never forget it,” he told Numero Netherlands. “It gave me goosebumps. As a kid, you dream of moments like this.”

And make no mistake: Gravenberch didn’t just play a part in Liverpool’s title win — he was one of the main reasons it happened.

The Real Madrid Question

Of course, with great form comes great attention. Real Madrid, still adjusting to life without Toni Kroos, are reportedly considering Gravenberch as one of their long-term solutions in midfield.

It makes sense. Gravenberch’s profile — tall, technically elegant, press-resistant — would fit perfectly at the Bernabeu. His agent has even admitted that his client “would love to play for Real” one day.

But Liverpool aren’t in the mood to lose another midfield general, especially not when they’re building what could be a dynasty under Arne Slot. Reports suggest the club are preparing a new long-term contract that would make Gravenberch one of the highest earners at Anfield — a statement of intent and a warning to Madrid that they’ll have to break the bank if they want him.

From Hell to Heaven

Gravenberch’s father couldn’t have summed it up better: “The whole Bayern adventure never worked out like he expected. But with Liverpool, with Slot, he has gone from hell to heaven.”

And there’s a sense that this is only the beginning. At 23, Gravenberch is still improving, still learning, still adding new dimensions to his game. Liverpool supporters can feel it — this is a player who could dominate the Premier League midfield for the next decade.

So yes, Real Madrid may want him. But Liverpool need him. And if the Reds are serious about staying at the top of English and European football, they’ll do whatever it takes to keep Ryan Gravenberch in red for a very long time.