After transferring to Liverpool last season from Bayern Munich for £34million, Ryan Gravenberch initially struggled to adjust to his new surroundings.
The Dutchman was no longer favoured in Germany and was looking for a fresh start to renew his career.
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It seemed as though he was in a rut and Bayern weren’t convinced in his abilities to help the team.
After sitting on the sidelines, while still being rated by many as a top talent in Europe, he finally got a new opportunity when the Reds came knocking.
But while he managed 1800 minutes across all four competitions last season, it felt as though Jurgen Klopp saw the player as a bit of a spare part, unable to work out which position would suit him best.
Liverpool were missing a defensive midfielder, but Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister took turns in the role, performing well as makeshift No6s. Meanwhile, Gravenberch was utilised as a No8, filling in the absences of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott on occasion.
Gravenberch on his contrasting seasons
Now under the management of fellow countryman Arne Slot, the midfielder has been given licence to make the defensive position his own, with Slot identifying key strengths in his game throughout preseason.
And to say the player has impressed would be an understatement. Fans, players, and pundits have been left in near disbelief over how well the Ajax academy graduate has played so far this season.
In an interview with Ajax TV as relayed by VI, he said: “Things are going well, I’m in a good flow. This season I’m playing a lot more minutes and I’m getting the confidence that was a little bit gone.
“Last season I played a bit less and then you also learn other things about football. At Ajax, I played everything but I went abroad early. Then it also comes down to the mental part when you don’t play.
“You have to stay close to yourself. I do the things I did at Ajax. Then people are surprised, but I have always done this. The biggest lesson is that I have to continue being myself.”
Ryan Gravenberch, Netherlands vs Germany
Already on 800 minutes for Liverpool this season, in addition to his role for the national team, Gravenberch has become an integral player for the Reds and their impressive start to the season.
Feeling comfortable on the ball, he is able to glide through the middle of the pitch, making quick shoulder turns when under pressure from the opposition and winning almost every duel he encounters.
While his success has a limited sample size so far, many have suggested that Liverpool can now call off their search for a new No6, with the 22-year-old standing out as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders this season.
The player Liverpool purchased last season now looks reborn, and while it is difficult to criticise Klopp’s time at Anfield, it is clear that the player has been given a new lease of life under Arne Slot, a development we may not have seen had the management not changed.
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