Liverpool attempted to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer before turning to Ryan Gravenberch under head coach Arne Slot. Gravenberch, who delivered another man-of-the-match performance, contributed to Liverpool’s impressive 3-1 Champions League victory at the San Siro. Less than a year earlier, the 22-year-old made his first Liverpool start and assisted Luis Diaz in a Europa League win over LASK Linz. Gravenberch’s positional versatility has unlocked his potential, something both Bayern Munich and Liverpool saw in the Ajax academy graduate.
When asked about Gravenberch’s development,
Arne Slot said “No, I wouldn’t say I was surprised. I saw him playing at Ajax when he came up into the first team and everybody saw back then what a special talent he was, and probably for that reason he went to two amazing clubs, Bayern Munich and Liverpool – and you can only go to these clubs if they see you have a lot of quality. Then it is up to us to make sure we get the best out of him and that is not only down to what as a training staff we do – also he is the most important for that. But again his teammates make him better as well.”
Arne Slot also emphasized Gravenberch’s ability to adapt and improve:
Arne Slot said “I think it helps if it is not the first time you have to do this. So every day on the training pitch trying to receive balls through the lines, in games he receives balls through the lines. I think one of the most important things about winning in the San Siro is that the players know – again now, maybe – that after two difficult seasons in Europe – defeats to Napoli, Real Madrid, Atalanta – that we can play against teams like Milan and beat them and really dominate the game.”
Slot acknowledged that matters could have been different if Liverpool had managed to sign Zubimendi.
Arne Slot said “It is not that much of one holding midfielder, it is a bit more two – and one of those two can be a bit more attacking. I think the player you mentioned (Zubimendi) could have fitted in one of those two roles, and Ryan can fit in both roles like Curtis (Jones) can, Alexis (Mac Allister) can, and Wataru (Endo) can. If I could have bought him (Zubimendi), then maybe I could have rotated a bit more and you guys (the media) would be a lot more happy about it! But there is no point talking about Zubimendi any more because he stayed with Real Sociedad and we’ve moved on and we are really happy with Ryan.”
Slot concluded by emphasizing the importance of having a strong squad.
Arne Slot said “A club like ours should always try to bring in good players who can help the team to win because it is going to be a long season and therefore you need a lot of good players. That has been proven in the Premier League if you look at the ones who have won the league in recent years. They have had a very big squad. So I don’t think it would have affected Ryan’s playing time.”
