Liverpool manager Arne Slot says the impressive early-season form of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is down to ‘team structure.’
Gravenberch, 22, played 38 times in his first season for Liverpool last year without ever really nailing down a starting role.
But since Slot’s arrival this summer he has shone in a slightly deeper role – with former Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart saying he has the ability to become better than Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
Slot said: “He’s been a midfielder all his life and maybe he’s playing a bit deeper than he did before, but it’s not much of a difference. He is benefiting from how the team is playing.
“He came back really fit and took his chance. We are talking about the benefits of a team structure.
“I trust him, but I also trust the ones I’m not playing. If he trusts his team-mates and the structure then that will help, of course.”
Love it, @RGravenberch 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/XS6lBnH2r4
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 12, 2024
Duo impress with their countries
Gravenberch impressed on international duty with the Netherlands last week, as did Trent Alexander-Arnold with England.
The full-back was taken off by the Liverpool manager in every Premier League game so far, but was excellent in games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, with Slot saying he is now ready to play 90 minutes every week.
“He proved he could do 90 minutes,” Slot said.
“He became tired in the Ipswich game but he’s completely ready to play 90 now. We have another player like Conor Bradley, who can do the job really well.
“We have a whole team to manage and it’s also good for Conor to get his playing minutes. It’s not always the individual, I look at the team and the whole squad for the fixtures.”
