-
Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterOct 7, 2024, 04:50 AM ET
- • Joined ESPN in 2011
• Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
• Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018
Ryan Gravenberch said his impressive form this season for Liverpool is a result of the trust Arne Slot has shown in him.
Editor’s Picks
1 Related
Gravenberch has established himself as first-choice No. 6 in Liverpool’s team under Slot, and has been integral to their impressive start to the season. Heading into the international break, Liverpool are top of the Premier League with six wins from seven.
It is an impressive start for Slot — the best out of any Liverpool manager — and Gravenberch said his eye-catching form is partly down to the trust Slot has shown in him and his ability to fit into the No.6 role.
“The coach gives me confidence and sets me up,” Gravenberch told ESPN. “I just do my own thing. The things I did at Ajax, I do now.”
Gravenberch said he and Slot share a similar footballing philosophy. “I discuss all kinds of things with him,” Gravenberch added. “It’s mainly about football. We talked last season as well. I have a good bond with him and I’m very happy he’s here.
“We think in the same way. He likes football and building up from the back. That suits me super well too.”
Gravenberch moved to Liverpool from Bayern Munich ahead of last season. He made just three Bundesliga starts for Bayern in the 2022-23 campaign, and got 13 Premier League starts last term. But he’s started all seven of Liverpool’s Premier League matches this term and his goal is continue building on that for the rest of the campaign.
“I’m at a top club now, at Liverpool. I played a lot more last season than in the season before. That was my goal. This season my goal is to play even more than last season and I’m on my way.”
