After one other spectacular show from Ryan Gravenberch in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Man United, Arne Slot revealed what impressed him most in regards to the midfielder.
Gravenberch has been a revelation to this point this season, thriving as a key participant for Slot after a hit-and-miss first marketing campaign beneath Jurgen Klopp.
Although it stays early days, the Dutchman seems to be to be displaying the elite potential that many predicting of him throughout his time at Ajax.
Slot was acquainted with Gravenberch from their time collectively within the Netherlands, when the 22-year-old was nonetheless at Ajax, however working with him at Liverpool has stunned even the pinnacle coach.
In his post-match press convention at Previous Trafford, Slot was requested what he has seen within the No. 38 that satisfied him he might be relied upon in midfield.
“His high quality on the ball may very well be my first reply however I feel, coming from the Netherlands, everyone knows how good he’s with the ball,” he replied.
“So he is usually a actually necessary participant for our buildup sport.
“However what impressed me most after I began working with him [was] how a lot he can run after which nonetheless how good he’s when he arrives within the duel.
“Immediately you noticed with him, Dominik and Macca, how a lot they had been capable of carry on working. As a result of generally you’re late, however they simply stored on working and arriving within the duel.
“That’s the one factor that impressed me most about him, how good he is also with out the ball.”
Gravenberch’s leggy body and the actual fact he struggled to realize a foothold beneath each Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann at Bayern Munich might have led to unfavourable perceptions of the younger midfielder.
However he has already proven this season that he’s able to thriving on and off the ball in Slot’s system, a lot in order that followers are now not craving for Martin Zubimendi.
Nonetheless, as he continued his evaluation, Slot maintained that Liverpool’s excellent begin was a staff effort.
“With the ball, we fought. After we had ball possession we had been hoping we may discover each time one in every of our midfielders open or free,” he added.
“These three performed an excellent sport, I agree with you, however they want their centre-backs to play the ball by the traces, they want their centre-backs to be near them for the second that they can not arrive.
“Ibou was there, Virgil was there. Virgil, each time, stepped into the midfield defensively additionally.
“Like I mentioned, it was a staff efficiency. And you understand me a bit now, it’s all the time in regards to the staff, then the person can present himself.
“I feel all 11 of them and those that got here in performed an excellent sport, however that’s no coincidence as a result of the staff performed rather well.”
After three wins from three, Liverpool are already being touted as convincing challengers for Man Metropolis‘s title, however Slot nonetheless needs to see extra from his facet.
“Once more, solely three video games performed, solely video games from Saturday to Sunday or Sunday to Sunday,” he concluded.
“So there’s nonetheless loads for us to show for those who’re going to play Champions League.
“I don’t need to be the one which spoils every part, however two years in the past was the final season that we performed Champions League and everyone knows how that season ended.
“So there’s loads to show for us, if we play the tough video games within the Champions League and nonetheless be good throughout the weekend.”
