Ryan Gravenberch showed what a fine midfielder he can become for Liverpool after dazzling in win over Fulham… despite a difficult first year, the Dutchman can have a big future at Anfield, writes LEWIS STEELE

Liverpool saw something in Ryan Gravenberch that Bayern Munich did not. Having followed the Dutchman for a number of seasons, predating his failed spell in Bavaria, the Reds knew he could become a crucial member of their midfield.

Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, they didn’t get much insight into why the recruitment team thought he would be a star player. Apart from a few glimpses here and there, it has been a difficult first year in England for Gravenberch.

But Sunday’s performance against Fulham showed an example of what a good midfielder he can become – and he could already be if given the chance to shine. He scored an important goal, Liverpool’s first from open play after four games without one, with a curling side-foot finish.

That aside, the 21-year-old put in a solid performance, perhaps his best in a league game for the Reds. He had a few shaky touches at the start and looked a yard off the pace, but grew in confidence and began to dictate proceedings from midfield.

Gravenberch found himself in dangerous positions – a No. 8 on the team sheet, but his touch-map showed he was an all-action midfielder with positive moments all over the pitch – and he put in a solid defensive shift without the ball.

The 21-year-old produced an excellent finish to put the Reds ahead in the second half on Sunday

It is no small thing to say that he has not started as well as he would have liked in his first season on Merseyside. Some of the best midfielders in the league, such as Bernardo Silva or Martin Odegaard, got off to a slow start in their first seasons at Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.

But with this his 34th appearance for Liverpool, Gravenberch has now equaled the number of games he made for Bayern Munich in two seasons, during which he failed to make an impact under a number of managers after leaving Ajax as a teenager.

In an interview earlier this season, the midfielder said he looked up to the great Zinedine Zidane and while direct comparisons to the Real Madrid and French legends are going too far, Gravenberch glides around the pitch in a ballet style that few can match.

The £34.3m summer signing was also at a bit of a disadvantage as he did not spend pre-season at Liverpool and only joined the club on Deadline Day, with Bayern looking to buy a replacement before sanctioning his departure.

But the performance gave Reds fans hope that he could play a big role in the new side under a new manager if Jurgen Klopp leaves this summer. His first Premier League goal was only his fourth for the club and more involvement in the penalty area will be required.

His goal, assisted by Harvey Elliott, was the first time Liverpool had conceded a Premier League goal, both scored and assisted by players aged 21 or under, since November 2014 against Chelsea (Emre Can, assisted by Raheem Sterling). It shows how much young talent the team has.

Cody Gakpo also produced his best performance in some time against the Cottagers

Gravenberch’s performance was just one highlight in an all-round team game that was far better, more patient and clinical than the draw against Manchester United, the loss to Crystal Palace and Atalanta’s disappointing two-legged Europa League exit.

Cody Gakpo also put in his best performance for some time and continued to cause Fulham’s defensive problems, while full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were not far from their top levels after both missed recent games through injury.

But Gravenberch showed he can be the Flying Dutchman Liverpool fans were hoping for this summer. With a dose of Dutch courage – or, in football terms, a vote of confidence by going on a streak in the XI – the 21-year-old could have a big future at Anfield.