Ryan Gravenberch‘s distinctive type as Liverpool’s holding midfielder has been a key a part of their Premier League title win, and Arne Slot has now revealed the affect Alexis Mac Allister had on the Dutchman’s place change.
Gravenberch’s first season at Liverpool confirmed promise, however he didn’t flourish within the 12 Premier League video games he began beneath Klopp in a central midfield place.
As a result of Reds’ failed transfer for Actual Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Slot was pressured to look nearer to house for his defensive midfielder final summer time.
The pinnacle coach defined to Sky Sports activities how pre-season preparations and a dialogue with Mac Allister led to Gravenberch shifting into the No. 6 place.
“I requested Ryan if he may come again a bit sooner than he truly did (in pre-season), as a result of we had a number of video games in America to play,” Slot started.
“I used to be actually curious how he would do in that place, as a result of after we got here again from America, there was solely two video games left on the identical day – I feel there was Sevilla and Las Palmas – so there wasn’t quite a lot of time for me to attempt one thing out.
“However one of many issues I spoke to many of the gamers (about), possibly to all of them of their summer time break, and one of many issues Alexis mentioned to me, and I additionally felt the identical about it, was that he has no downside taking part in as No. 6 – he did fairly nicely the season earlier than – however he prefers to play with a No. 6 behind him and I feel that will get one of the best out of him.
“That’s additionally why we have been involved in signing a No. 6, however Ryan did come again one or two days earlier – I hoped for extra however he got here again one or two days earlier – and that method he may play the Manchester United recreation in that place (holding midfield).
“I instantly appreciated it as a result of he was so comfy on the ball. I feel in the event you watch this recreation again, there’s one second the place we performed the ball to him and there was somebody who tried to press him, and he simply used his physique to (protect the ball) and the participant didn’t see him again for a number of seconds, the one which pressed him.
“It made me really feel that that might be a superb asset to have after which we needed to discover out through the first video games of the season if he was defensively sturdy sufficient, however he positively was and I feel he is among the gamers now who has probably the most interceptions and all these type of issues.”
Gravenberch has taken to his altered place like a duck to water, beginning each Premier League match till Sunday’s recreation towards Chelsea.
For comparable gamers in Europe’s prime 5 leagues, the Dutchman ranks within the prime 4 % for interceptions made during the last yr, in accordance with FBRef.
By the identical measurements, he ranks within the 83rd and 84th percentiles for progressive carries and profitable take-ons respectively.
Together with Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk, he has been seen by Slot as one of the indispensable gamers within the facet, and he’s now receiving his deserved call-ups to the Netherlands crew additionally.
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Regardless of his sensible type in taking Liverpool to the title, as a 22-year-old, he nonetheless has lots to be taught.
Slot commented on what he may do to enhance, saying: “Perhaps actually what he may add to his recreation is possibly one or two-touch play and discovering much more gamers in behind the strains.
“Perhaps he can take Virgil (Van Dijk) for instance as a result of Virgil is for me our greatest participant in that half, discovering gamers in between the strains, however he’s completed nice, Ryan. That’s for positive.”
Whereas he is probably not the completed article but, he’s far nearer than anybody anticipated him to be this time final yr, and there’s no higher place for him to develop than at Liverpool.
