Ryan Gravenberch has admitted that the former Liverpool star Sadio Mane helped him to beat Bayern Munich for a move to Anfield in 2023.
The Dutch star had joined the German giants of Ajax in the same summer as Mane, who called it a day in Anfield in 2022. And despite helping Bayern to help the Bundesliga title, both players found their playing time limited and they each gave one from season in Germany, who only played 19 times together.
Gravenberch only started six of his 34 performances for Bayern before he was picked up by Liverpool in a deal that may have been worth £ 40 million on the Deadline Day of the Transfer in the summer of 2023. On the other hand, Mane 38 performs, just made 38 performances, 12 goals and offering six assists, but was considered an excess against the requirements after the manager of England, Thomas Tuchel, took over.
The Senegalese star then moved to the Saudi pro-competition side Al-Nassr in a £ 24 million deal, but before he left, Gravenberch thrown lightly on the crucial role that Mane played in his move to the Reds and the desperate times with which he was confronted in the Bundesliga.
“Sadio is really a nice guy, a very nice guy,” he shared with LFC TV in the latest episode of their 'A Day with' series. “When I was in Munich, I also asked him for Liverpool. If it was a good step for me, what the club was like and everything. He said a lot of good things, so in my head I had something like that:” I have to go, I have to go, I have to go!
The Dutchman also hit his interactions with former Reds Baas Jurgen Klopp and how the German made sure that his playing time would be greatly improved by leaving Munich.
“At the time I spoke with Klopp, The Gaffer, and he told me that my chances would certainly come.” You'll get your minutes, you get your chances, but then you have to show me if you're ready. “
Gravenberch further discussed how he had difficulty adapting to life in Germany, and added: “I was born and raised in Amsterdam, so I knew everything. I knew everyone. I went to another country, another City, where I didn't do that, know someone or something.
“It was difficult, but it was also nice to go out of my comfort zone. Ajax is a really big club, but I think if you want to reach the top, top, you have to go to England, Spain or Germany to reach you full potential.
“I didn't play much (in Bayern Munich). I came from Ajax where I played everything. I was at the top of the group and then went to such a big club like Bayern Munich and saw other players who are other players real Good and really big.
(I have learned) to always be ready. If you don't play much, if you have to come in, it is really difficult because I have not done for four or five games and then I would come in 20 minutes. I would have to myself then myself. Show, but I didn't play for a long time. “
Under new head coach Arne Slot, Gravenberch has become a crucial anchor for a relatively solid Reds defense and is now a first team for the League leaders, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“I didn't play much and I didn't want to have another year if this,” he admitted. “I knew that I had to show myself. Sometimes you have to adapt to a new club, new country, everything is new. Now I feel at ease. I want to win titles with Liverpool. Certainly the Premier League! I think that That the thing is to reach this season. “
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