Ryan Gravenberch attributes his remarkable transformation at Liverpool to a renewed sense of purpose and the trust placed in him by head coach Arne Slot. The 22-year-old midfielder, who has become a key figure in the starting lineup, insists he is still the same player despite the significant change in his fortunes since joining the club.
Since his £34.3 million transfer from Bayern Munich 13 months ago, Gravenberch has started all six of Liverpool’s Premier League matches this season. In contrast, he made only 12 league starts under former manager Jurgen Klopp, who never fully embraced his potential. Prior to his time at Liverpool, Gravenberch struggled to secure a regular spot at Bayern and was unable to replicate the success he enjoyed at Ajax under Erik ten Hag.
The turning point for Gravenberch came when Slot identified him as a crucial asset after Martin Zubimendi turned down a summer move to Liverpool. Knowing Gravenberch’s capabilities from his time at Ajax, Slot decided to invest in his development as a defensive midfielder, emphasizing the importance of anticipating opponents’ moves and controlling the game.
Gravenberch has thrived under Slot’s guidance, showcasing his talent in Liverpool’s recent scrappy victory over Wolves, where he was named man of the match. Reflecting on his revival, he stated, “I’m the same Gravenberch. I sometimes had matches where I only touched the ball after five minutes [last season]. Then I didn’t get into my game or my rhythm. This feels more comfortable to me.”
He further explained his newfound confidence to De Volkskrant, saying, “The coach knows that I have a lot of football in me. He has a clear plan regarding the build-up and pressing. It’s up to me to maintain that and be consistent. He gave me the chance from the start and asked me to focus on a more defensive position.”
Gravenberch emphasized the clarity provided by Slot, which has allowed him to flourish. “We play as a team, and then the individual also looks better,” he remarked, acknowledging the difficulties he faced over the past two seasons.
With Liverpool currently at the top of the Premier League, Gravenberch is cautious, insisting that the team must aim for a top-four finish. “I think a team like Liverpool always has to be in the top four. We’ll keep pushing, but it’s still really early,” he said. Despite their victory, he recognized the need for improvement: “I think we lost a lot of concentration, myself included. We won, but we have to learn from what we missed. We have to get better.”
As Gravenberch continues to make his mark at Liverpool, he remains focused on building on this positive momentum while maintaining a level-headed approach to the season ahead.
