Pundit admits he was completely wrong about £34m Liverpool player after seeing him vs Man United

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Liverpool continued their immaculate start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in what was their biggest test yet.

Well, it was supposed to be the biggest test for Arne Slot in his tenure on Merseyside as Liverpool came up against Manchester United.

However, the Dutchman was able to coach his side to a comfortable victory on the road against the Red Devils.

The usual suspects showed out at Old Trafford with Mohamed Salah netting his customary goal in what could have been his final game away to United.

There were not many underwhelming displays from a Liverpool point of view with the Reds really putting on a display for the travelling fans.

However, there was one player who was in from the start who seriously surprised pundit Steve Nicol with his display at Old Trafford.

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Which Liverpool player Steve Nicol was left so impressed with vs Manchester United

It has to be remembered Liverpool are only three games into Slot’s tenure at the club and he is still really experimenting in the league to find his best XI.

After seeing Martin Zubimendi reject the chance to join Liverpool, the Reds will have been left with some questions as to what is their best midfield available to Slot.

One man who has played every minute of Premier League action under Slot is his compatriot Ryan Gravenberch.

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And it is fair to say Nicol was left stunned by just how good the 22-year-old performed against the Red Devils.

“When I saw the teamsheet for Ipswich and Gravenberch was in it, I am not ashamed to say, I went, oh, why is Gravenberch playing? I tell you what, talk about eating your words, I mean, he has got to be so far the surprise of the season,” he said on ESPN.

“For anybody that does know about Manchester United against Liverpool and going to Old Trafford or going to Anfield, it is the toughest thing you can do as a football player, to be able to go to that sort of arena and perform and be at your best and look comfortable.

“And Gravenberch today was just, he looked as though he has been in that Liverpool team for a couple of years, he looked as thought that was his spot.”

Ryan Gravenberch’s Liverpool display vs Manchester United in numbers

Having signed for the Reds for a fee in the region of £34m for Bayern Munich last summer, Gravenberch has not exactly solidified his spot in the XI.

The Dutchman only made 12 starts in the Premier League last season under Jurgen Klopp but, under Slot, it looks like he is now finding his feet.

Here is how Gravenberch got on at Old Trafford…

• 90 minutes
• 61 touches
• 84% pass accuracy
• 6/9 ground duels won
• 1/1 aerial duels won
• 3X was fouled
• 1 clearance
• 4 interceptions
• 2 tackles

For a player who did not play a great deal of football under Klopp last season, Gravenberch is showing signs of being the player who Liverpool thought they needed over the summer.