Ryan Gravenberch made a strong impression on the English media on Tuesday night during Liverpool’s win over Internazionale. The midfielder was also chosen by UEFA as Man of the Match in Milan, where he was asked about the saga surrounding Mohamed Salah.
Ryan Gravenberch made a strong impression on the English media on Tuesday night during Liverpool’s 0-1 win over Internazionale. The midfielder was also chosen by UEFA as Man of the Match in Milan, where he was asked about the saga surrounding Mohamed Salah.
The Daily Mail named matchwinner Dominik Szoboszlai (rated 8.5) as Liverpool’s standout performer against Inter, but also noted that Gravenberch (given a 7) held his own. “He was responsible for two goals conceded against Leeds and has not been in top form recently, but this display looked much more like what we saw from him last season: composed and determined on the ball,” the paper wrote.
Regional newspaper Liverpool Echo was even more positive about Gravenberch and gave him an 8. “He was secure in possession and, as the deepest defensive midfielder, made two excellent ball recoveries before the break. He stayed strong throughout the entire match.” The Daily Star and The Express also awarded the midfielder an 8. “He was excellent on the ball and very strong defensively. By positioning himself very intelligently, Gravenberch prevented a big chance for Thuram before half time. On several occasions he proved particularly important,” The Express reported.
The ratings across the English press underline how much this performance meant for Gravenberch personally. In recent weeks, the Dutchman has been under scrutiny after a difficult spell that included costly mistakes and questions about his consistency. In Milan, however, he responded in the best possible way: with a disciplined, complete midfield display in one of the toughest away fixtures in Europe. Where his game sometimes looked rushed or hesitant in previous matches, against Inter he appeared calm, focused and fully in control of his responsibilities.
From the first whistle, Gravenberch was heavily involved in Liverpool’s build-up play. Operating as the deepest midfielder, he constantly offered himself as a passing option between the centre-backs, helping the team progress the ball through Inter’s aggressive press. His first touch was clean, his body orientation allowed him to play forward quickly, and he rarely took unnecessary risks in dangerous zones. Whenever Liverpool needed to slow the game down and take the sting out of Inter’s pressure, the ball often went through Gravenberch.
Defensively, his positioning was one of the key reasons Liverpool were able to keep a clean sheet in a hostile San Siro atmosphere. Inter frequently tried to find Marcus Thuram and the attacking midfielders between the lines, but Gravenberch repeatedly intercepted passes or forced them to play backwards. On the rare occasions when Inter broke through the first line of pressure, he was there to make key tackles or delay the attack long enough for the back line to recover. His anticipation, rather than spectacular sliding challenges, did much of the work.
That balance between composure on the ball and alertness without it is exactly what Liverpool have been looking for in their midfield. With the team not in its best phase and results under pressure, this type of controlled performance away from home is hugely valuable. A 0-1 win in Milan is not just three points; it is a statement that Liverpool can still manage big European nights with discipline and maturity, even when the overall form is not sparkling.
With a broad smile, Gravenberch appeared in front of the CBS Sports camera after the match. “What is the feeling in the dressing room now? Everyone is happy, three points again,” said the Netherlands international, who admitted that Liverpool are not in the best of form at the moment. “But we stick together as a team, we showed that last season as well. We fought for each other again today. We can build on this. I’m not concerned with the noise around the club.”
His words were a reflection of what happened on the pitch. This was not a win built purely on attacking fireworks, but on cohesion, discipline and togetherness. Gravenberch’s willingness to do the dirty work, track runners and cover for teammates sent a strong message that he is prepared to take responsibility in difficult periods. For a player still relatively young and still establishing himself at Liverpool, stepping up in a Champions League away game of this magnitude carries extra significance.
Gravenberch was also asked about the situation surrounding Mohamed Salah, who was left out of the squad for the trip to Milan by Slot. “Everyone deals with it in their own way. Everyone has their opinion. I have mine as well, but I keep it to myself. I have a lot of respect for Mo and for the club. Today was only about the match. I also don’t know what is going to happen with Mo, but I have a good relationship with him and I hope I can continue playing with him. He is a fantastic player, he has proved that often enough.”
His measured answer showed a maturity that will not have gone unnoticed by supporters and pundits. In a moment when speculation and rumours around Salah dominate headlines, Gravenberch deliberately shifted the focus back to the team and the performance. By emphasising respect for both the player and the club, he managed to comment on a sensitive topic without adding fuel to the fire. It was the kind of calm, professional response that managers appreciate in a dressing room under external pressure.
The backdrop to all of this is Gravenberch’s own journey. After arriving in England with high expectations, he has had to adapt to a different league, a different intensity and a different tactical role. There have been flashes of quality, but also periods of inconsistency that led some to wonder whether he could truly become a regular starter for Liverpool. Nights like the 0-1 win over Inter do not settle that debate once and for all, but they clearly move the needle in his favour. When the team needed control and personality in midfield, he delivered.
For Liverpool, the hope will be that this performance is a turning point rather than an isolated high. If Gravenberch can reproduce this level more regularly, he offers the team something crucial: a midfielder who can both protect the defence and help launch attacks, who can handle the ball under pressure and read defensive situations early. In modern Champions League football, that profile is invaluable, particularly in tough away games where small details decide the result.
In the coming weeks, Liverpool’s schedule will not get any easier, and questions around Salah’s future will likely continue. Yet, in Milan, the story belonged to a different figure in red. Ryan Gravenberch not only earned the trust of the English media and UEFA’s Man of the Match award, he also strengthened his position within the squad at a delicate moment for the club. If he can build on this 0-1 statement win and maintain this level, Liverpool may look back on this night at San Siro as the moment their Dutch midfielder truly arrived.
Updated: 10:57, 10 Dec 2025
