Ryan Gravenberch discusses Liverpool’s progress under Arne Slot following challenges under Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has impressed in the early part of the season and is relishing his time under new manager Arne Slot, who has introduced several changes.

Gravenberch, who joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich for £34 million on deadline day last summer, had a challenging start under Jurgen Klopp. Despite his potential, he struggled to make an impact during Klopp’s final year, partly due to stiff competition in midfield.

He made 26 Premier League appearances in the 2023/24 season, but only 12 were starts, with new signings Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Dominik Szoboszlai often being preferred. However, Gravenberch has thrived under Slot, starting all three Premier League matches so far and making a notable impact.

His standout performance in the 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford drew praise, and Gravenberch is flourishing under Slot’s management. Reflecting on his recent success, he told Dutch reporters, “There were sometimes matches in which I had only touched the ball once after five or six minutes. Then you don’t get into your game. Now I get the ball more, then you get more comfortable. He just saw this. In the end it worked out well,” adding, “Now it’s going well, so, yes, everyone is praising him.”

Gravenberch did not feature for the Netherlands in Euro 2024 and has only made three international appearances since his breakthrough in 2021. With Marten de Roon and Georginio Wijnaldum absent and Frenkie de Jong injured, Gravenberch could be a key player for the Netherlands in their upcoming matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.

To continue his rise, Gravenberch must convince Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who recently commented, “I am glad you added that last part. I have always seen the potential in him. But I believed he lacked focus; this is something that he had to improve and now it seems that he finally realises what is asked of him.”

Slot has given Gravenberch a more flexible role, and the player explained, “I had a little chat with him and he said I have to focus on the No 6 and No 8 positions. Now I play at No 6. In the past I played it as well so I know what I have to do. I’ve enjoyed playing there.” He added, “It’s a little bit of a different system than we played last season, but I think everyone has adapted to it. Now we have to build it further and further. I think at the end we can be a really dominant team.”