Ryan Gravenberch has recalled the second that Arne Slot first informed him he’d be taking part in in a defensive midfield function for Liverpool this season.
Having struggled to carry down a beginning berth in his first yr with the Reds, the 22-year-old has been redeployed as a quantity 6 by the brand new head coach, with rapid outcomes.
The ex-Bayern Munich teenager has been one of many standout gamers at Anfield for the reason that begin of the marketing campaign, and in an interview with the official LFC web site, he revealed his enthusiasm for the game-changing tactical tweak by his fellow Dutchman.
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Gravenberch mentioned: “It got here fairly naturally. Once I first spoke with the coach he mentioned to me, ‘I see you as a No.8 like final season, however I wish to attempt you as a No.6 as effectively.’ So, I used to be like, ‘OK, yeah, we will do it!’ I mentioned to him, ‘After all, we will do it!’ and the remainder is historical past.
“Now he sees me as a No.6! It goes very well. We’ll need to see. Hopefully my purpose is to be constant each recreation.”
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Though Gravenberch had been no stranger to taking part in as a quantity 6 – Erik ten Hag regularly used him in that function at Ajax previously – the maturity and competency that he’s proven this season illustrates that he’s reached one other stage to his recreation.
His effectiveness as a midfield anchor is mirrored in him having the second-highest averages at Liverpool for tackles (2.5) and interceptions (1.7) per match within the marketing campaign thus far, whereas solely two teammates have accomplished extra dribbles than him and no Reds participant has been fouled extra usually (WhoScored).
These statistics recommend that the 22-year-old is excelling as a ball-winner after which making excellent use of it as soon as he good points possession, galloping by the opposition at will and retaining the play ticking over expertly.
It speaks to Gravenberch’s super perspective that he reacted so enthusiastically to Slot informing him that he’d be taking part in in a deeper function this season; and whereas some pundits are nonetheless withholding judgement till he comes up in opposition to the likes of Manchester Metropolis and Actual Madrid, no one can deny that he’s been revitalised by the tactical tweak from his new boss.
On the proof of latest weeks, the Dutchman have to be relishing the prospect of pitting himself in opposition to the very best that the Premier League and Champions League has to supply. In flip, they gained’t be overly enthused on the considered having to stifle his ever-increasing affect.
