Ryan Gravenberch has voiced his gratitude for Arne Slot whilst being on international duty with the Netherlands.
Gravenberch has been one of, if not the standout Liverpool player under Slot this season as the Reds are three out of three at the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
The departure of the legendary Jurgen Klopp has seen a change in style with Arne Slot at the helm, with a double pivot at the heart of the Dutchman’s system.
Slot likes his central midfielders to be elite ball players who are as efficient in possession as they are out of it. This alteration to the team that we had got so used to seeing over the past eight seasons has arguably benefited Gravenberch more than anyone.
After a difficult first season on Merseyside, the 22-year-old has outlined the reason behind his current form is all down to Slot.
“He gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the lineup. It’s going pretty well.
“As a player, you obviously want to get minutes. For me, that confidence is part of it. With that confidence, I feel more comfortable, and with the minutes, it keeps getting better.
“He’s a good coach. He knows what he wants. He has a clear plan. Yeah, so far, we’re executing it really well. Clarity from the start is always nice for me,” Gravenberch told ESPN Netherlands.
Is Gravenberch the answer to Liverpool’s midfield problems?
Ever since Fabinho departed the club two years ago, Liverpool have failed numerous times to sign their primary targets to replace the Brazilian.
Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both chose Chelsea last summer after Liverpool expressed serious interest in both, while Zubimendi also turned down the Reds and chose to stay at his boyhood club, Real Sociedad.
But has Liverpool’s answer always been at the club? Yes, it’s been three games, yes Liverpool are relatively thin in that position, but going off the performances Gravenberch has put in so far, he’s put himself in a spot where it’s his position to lose.
The Anfield side are three games into the Slot era, so there’s a lot of improvement to be made still, collectively and individually. Therefore, the early signs we are being shown from Gravenberch makes it immensely intriguing on the levels he could be showing the longer he works under the new boss.
