Liverpool told they have found their new Gini Wijnaldum
Gini Wijnaldum became a Liverpool cult hero during his five years at the club and Boudewijn Zenden believes Ryan Gravenberch can follow in his compatriot's footsteps
Former Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden has backed Ryan Gravenberch to replicate Gini Wijnaldum’s heroics on Merseyside.
The Reds boast a fabled history of Dutch favourites, from Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel through to current captain Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo. One of Liverpool’s greatest cult heroes was Wijnadlum, the energetic, box-to-box midfielder who spent five years at Anfield.
A stunning brace against Barcelona in 2019 helped secure a dramatic Champions League turnaround and etched his name into Liverpool folklore. Another Dutchman, summer recruit Gravenberch, is aiming to follow suit.
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The 21-year-old emerged as one of Europe’s top talents at Ajax before joining Bayern Munich last year. While a move to Germany did not work out, Gravenberch sought pastures new at Liverpool and has already impressed with several dynamic displays in midfield.
His compatriot, ex-Reds winger Zenden, believes he can mirror Wijnaldum’s achievements at the club. He told WSM Casino: “Gravenberch did really well at Ajax and that allowed him the chance to move to Bayern, who are a massive team with a certain aura. I don't know why he didn't get as many minutes as he wanted but sometimes it's down to the systems of the manager.
“It's always hard to tell. I think Ryan needs time to adapt to the Premier League in general but he's settled in well. He didn't play straight away. He has very good technique and he likes to get forward - he's intelligent.
“I see him as a Gini Wijnaldum-type player - playing in the middle and having the capability of getting higher up the pitch who easily moves the ball. It's good to see Ryan finding his feet.”
Zenden also named another talented Dutchman, Denzel Dumfries, as someone who can compete with Trent Alexander-Arnold for the right-back berth. Naturally a defender, the 27-year-old can operate on the wing.
“I worked with Dumfries a lot when I was at PSV,” he added. “He has an amazing drive going forward, and maybe you could compare him with Alexander-Arnold or Robertson bombing on. It's still a matter of how Klopp wants to set up his team.
“I know Dumfries' situation at Inter fits like a glove with them playing three at the back with wing-backs who can get forward. He's neither a right-back nor a winger as he plays the full length of the right-hand side.
“That's when he's at his best. He's not a true right winger as you can't ask him to dribble past players and create chances. If he's in a setup allowing the freedom he needs, then he could be a positive addition to any team, including Liverpool.”