In The Zone: How Ryan Gravenberch led the way for Liverpool
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
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UEFA Technical Observer Michael Carrick shines a spotlight on Ryan Gravenberch's display in a deep midfield role as Liverpool won 1-0 at Inter on Matchday 6.
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Dominik Szoboszlai struck the winning penalty but on a night when Liverpool dug in for a hard-fought victory at Inter, it was Ryan Gravenberch's display in a deep midfield role that captured the attention of UEFA Technical Observer Michael Carrick.
Carrick, the one-time pivot in a UEFA Champions League-winning Manchester United team, praised the Dutch midfielder's work both with and without the ball at San Siro.
The following analysis, brought to you by FedEx, will focus on both aspects, starting with his defensive contribution in a match that he began in a deep role close to his centre-backs, ensuring Liverpool had a numerical superiority at the back.
"Gravenberch's defensive positioning was very disciplined and intelligent," said Carrick. "He was covering and protecting space around and in front of the two centre-backs."
That changed in the second half owing to the success Inter were having in carrying the ball upfield through their own centre-backs. "In the first half, we tried to keep a plus one in and around our last line," explained Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
"But after the substitutions they made [on 11 and 31 minutes], we struggled more and more in the middle with [Manuel] Akanji, who dribbled into the midfield. So we said during half-time, 'We have to be more aggressive in our press, we're going to go more 1v1.'"
The video above offers two examples of Gravenberch screening in the first half as he twice intervenes to thwart Inter skipper Lautaro Martínez. By the end, he had made five interceptions – the highest of the night in the Champions League alongside Olympique de Marseille's Nayef Aguerd. He was also the Liverpool player with the most ball recoveries (six).
As for Gravenberch's efforts in possession, the second video below showcases his intelligent use of the ball. After Liverpool's home victory over Real Madrid last term, Slot described him as "so comfortable and dominant on the ball" and hailed his ability to supply "the ball towards the players that can hurt any opponent".
There are two such examples in clips three and four and Carrick, who was himself renowned for his passing from deep, saw much to admire about this aspect of Gravenberch's game.
"In possession he started off attacks by playing on the half-turn and playing the ball forward through the lines in tight areas," he said as he summed up an impressive Player of the Match performance from the 23-year-old.
UEFA Technical Observer Michael Carrick was a cultured midfielder for the likes of West Ham, Tottenham, Manchester United and England in his playing career, winning five English titles and the 2008 Champions League.
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