Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch has exceeded expectations in his first season at the club, blossoming into a key defensive presence in midfield.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been pleasantly surprised by the outstanding performances of holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch this season. The 22-year-old excelled in his team's comfortable 4-0 victory against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Thursday.
The Reds are enjoying a remarkable campaign, having navigated the Champions League group stage with ease, leading the Premier League by six points with a game in hand, and looking ahead to FA Cup fixtures and an upcoming League Cup final. While Slot has overseen a smooth start at Liverpool, Gravenberch's emergence has taken him aback. Gravenberch, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 for £34 million, initially struggled to secure a regular starting spot under former manager Jurgen Klopp but has now settled into a crucial role as a calming influence protecting the league's most formidable defence. His development has been somewhat unexpected, even to Slot. 'I think Gravenberch has been one of the surprises of the season,' pundit Gary Lineker stated on The Rest Is Football podcast. 'Even Arne Slot said how surprised he was by how good he was when he came in when I spoke to him in an interview a week or so ago. He's been superb.' Despite Lineker relaying Slot's views, it seemed almost inevitable last summer that Liverpool would bring in a true No.6. The Reds were strongly pursuing Real Sociedad's tough-tackling Martin Zubimendi, but negotiations collapsed as he opted to remain in Spain. Now, the Mirror suggests he might be heading to Arsenal in the upcoming summer transfer window. With limited alternatives available, Slot decided to anchor the Dutch starlet at the base of his newly configured midfield, a move that has proven highly beneficial. Gravenberch has not only caught his manager off guard with his stellar contributions – leading to starts in every Premier League match to date – but he's also managed to surprise himself. 'Yeah,' Gravenberch replied to Liverpool's official club website when asked about being impressed by his own defensive abilities. 'Because, to be honest, as an eight, you are more attacking and not a lot of defending. But the defending part I do also really well, so I impress myself a little bit. 'Back in the days when I played with Ajax in the youth, I didn't like to defend! I didn't like that much. But now, when you take off the ball from another player, it's like, 'yes, I have it!' I want to take the next one and the next one again. I enjoy it. 'It came quite naturally. When I first spoke with the coach, he said to me, 'I see you as a No.8 like last season, but I want to try you as a No. 6 as well.' So, I was like, 'OK, yeah, we can do it!' I said to him, 'of course, we can do it!' And the rest is history. Obviously, I get the minutes now, and I just try to be consistent and show myself every game. I really enjoy it. I'm feeling really good.
Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool Arne Slot Premier League Carabao Cup Bayern Munich Defensive Midfielder Martin Zubimendi
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ryan Gravenberch sends message to Liverpool fans after crushing blowThe inside track on the football stories that matter
Read more »
Arne Slot has already found his perfect Ryan Gravenberch alternative which could save Liverpool millionsRyan Gravenberch has been in impressive form this season.
Read more »
Ryan Gravenberch: From Transfer Disappointment to Anfield HeroLiverpool fans initially wanted a new holding midfielder, but Ryan Gravenberch has proven to be a success in the role, exceeding expectations. His impressive stats and contributions have transformed him into a fan favorite and a key player for Liverpool.
Read more »
Gravenberch Reassures Liverpool Fans Amid Fitness ConcernsRyan Gravenberch has been a key player for Liverpool this season, starting all 27 of his appearances under manager Arne Slot. Despite concerns about the physical toll, the Dutch midfielder has reassured fans that he is committed to maintaining his fitness and helping the team win trophies.
Read more »
Gravenberch's Rise Silences Liverpool's Zubimendi PursuitLiverpool manager Arne Slot reveals that Ryan Gravenberch's adaptation to a defensive midfield role has diminished the club's interest in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi. Slot highlights Gravenberch's attacking qualities and ball-carrying abilities as key factors in his decision, allowing Liverpool to focus on their current midfield setup.
Read more »
Liverpool player ratings as Gravenberch sensational and five excellentLiverpool player ratings and scores from Ian Doyle after the Premier League win over Ipswich Town in the Premier League
Read more »