Ryan Gravenberch’s impressive performances since the arrival of Slot have been recognized with the club’s in-house Player of the Month award for September. He has excelled in his midfield role and has alleviated concerns about the team’s need for a specialist defensive midfielder after missing out on signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Slot believes in Gravenberch’s skill set for the midfield strategy, noting his adaptability to different positions within the team.
Arne Slot said, “And apart from that, I think the main thing for people probably – because you make highlights of him – you are showing mainly his offensive work. He can run, he is strong in duels, and the positive for him in this position, if he plays higher, people talk about goals and assists and that he needs to do more. But in this [deeper] position that is not why we play him.”
Gravenberch benefits greatly from playing alongside experienced players like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Alexis Mac Allister, who provide significant support in his current role.
Arne Slot said “But it is also very helpful for him to play in front of Virgil (van Dijk) and Ibou (Ibrahima Konate) and next to Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) because they are a big help for him in those positions.”
Slot’s leadership has resulted in nine wins out of ten since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, a performance he finds gratifying. He acknowledges the legacy of great managers at Liverpool and aspires to make further accomplishments with the strong squad and staff he inherited, aiming for continued success and memorable achievements.
Arne Slot said “It definitely is quite satisfying if you know how many great managers Liverpool have had. But I also said recently I don’t only remember me in two, three, four or five years. We are hoping to do more special things than this and it also says I have had luck in inheriting a very good squad and a good staff to continue getting the results that Jurgen had here as well.”