Ryan Gravenberch has credited his fantastic start to the season with new Liverpool manager Arne Slot giving him the confidence he needed.
Gravenberch has become a permanent fixture in the first team under Slot. He has made nineteen appearances in all competitions and the Reds top the Premier League and Champions League tables.
Under former boss Jurgen Klopp, the Dutchman was often deployed in multiple positions, but under Slot he has since flourished in the defensive role in midfield.
In the Premier League, Gravenberch has won more games (77) than any of his teammates this season, while also making the most interceptions (28 – equal to Virgil van Dijk).
Furthermore, his top-flight tally of 15 tackles is only bettered by Alexis Mac Allister (27) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (28) for Liverpool.
The Dutchman said his newfound confidence in the role is down to his compatriot and new coach, telling TNT Sports: “Now I play a lot of games as a starter, so it's a bit different.
“The coach gave me confidence when I needed it and I'm happy that I can show myself again. Just the run-up to matches, you really need that, to be honest.
“Sometimes it's really difficult. For example, if you're sitting on the bench and the next match you're playing well, the next match you're on the bench, then you come in for 10 minutes, then those 10 minutes don't really go. How do you want.
“Then the next game you're back on the bench, so that's difficult. So yeah, just the series of games – that gives you the confidence when you do well on the field.”
“I'm happy to be playing. To be on the field again for ninety minutes and to be able to show myself.”
Take a look around tomorrow's location pic.twitter.com/xgJ11djGEl
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 9, 2024
Next up for Liverpool are LaLiga team Girona, who find themselves 30th in the 36-team table after winning just one of their five games in their first season in the competition.
However, the Reds are the only team with a 100% record in the Champions League this season, having won all five of their games so far.
According to one manager, Slot's run is already the longest since the start of a period with an English club in the competition (five), but Gravenberch is wary of the threat that Michel's team poses.
“Of course you want to win every game, so for us our goal is to win every group game and then we'll see. If we win every game it would mean a lot to us,” he said.
“They have a good team, they like to play at the back and they have very good players, so we have to be prepared for that,” Gravenberch said.
“I think so, and we have to show tomorrow that we can fight them.
“We know what we ask of each other, all the energy in pressing and in the build-up, deep runs and everything. We want to show that we can work harder than the opponent.
“We are in a good position, but it is still very early, so we have to [approach it] game by game, and we'll see at the end of the season.”
Gravenberch's impressive rise has also seen him compared to former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.
Kroos won 22 major honors during his time in the Spanish capital, including five Champions League victories, two of which came against Liverpool.
“Yes! That is of course nice to hear, because Toni Kroos is a legend of the game. He has done a lot of good things, so that is nice to hear,” Gravenberch concludes.
On the way to Girona pic.twitter.com/mQjDt1Y5bo
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 9, 2024
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