Ryan Gravenberch Takes a Swipe at Klopp While Applauding Arne Slot’s Fresh Approach
Ryan Gravenberch has become a central figure at Liverpool this season, stepping into a key role under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutch midfielder, who struggled to establish himself in the team under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, has thrived since Slot’s arrival, cementing his place in the starting lineup. In his latest comments, Gravenberch subtly criticized his former manager, hinting at frustrations over the limited opportunities he received last season, while praising Slot’s management approach.
Gravenberch was named man of the match in Liverpool’s recent 2-1 victory over Wolves, a result that propelled the Reds closer to the top of the Premier League standings. The midfielder played a commanding role, controlling the game from his position as a defensive midfielder and showcasing his ability both on and off the ball. Saturday’s match marked Gravenberch’s sixth consecutive start in the Premier League, a stark contrast to last season, where he managed just 12 starts under Klopp.
Reflecting on his rejuvenated form, Gravenberch expressed his satisfaction with his role under Slot, while making a veiled dig at Klopp’s handling of him. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, “This season I wanted to show myself again and I am really happy. He put me in the starting 11 and gave me a lot of confidence. I think a team like Liverpool always has to be in the top four.”
Gravenberch emphasized the importance of the team’s collective ambition but was quick to highlight his own improved performances under the new management. “We keep pushing but it’s still really early. We knew this was always going to be difficult for us. I think after 20 or 25 minutes we did really well and we got the three points, so I’m really happy with that,” he added.
However, the match wasn’t without its challenges, as Liverpool conceded an equalizer due to a lapse in concentration. Gravenberch admitted responsibility for the defensive miscommunication, but remained optimistic, saying, “We gave the equaliser away because of miscommunication. This can happen in football but it won’t happen again. We always try to push and we had a lot of chances. Maybe in the last phase of the game we could have scored one more. But at the end of the day, we still won.”
Gravenberch also acknowledged that despite the victory, there were lessons to be learned. “I think we lost a lot of concentration, myself included. We won but we have to learn from what we missed today. We have to get better,” he concluded.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was full of praise for his midfielder’s performance, emphasizing Gravenberch’s technical quality and adaptability in a possession-based system. “He’s just very comfortable on the ball, and with (Alexis) Mac Allister as well, that helps the team if you want to have a possession-based style of play,” Slot told Sky Sports after the game.
Slot went on to highlight Gravenberch’s development, noting how his time at Bayern Munich and even under Klopp had improved his defensive abilities. “To be completely honest, that [Gravenberch’s defensive ability] surprised me even a bit because I know him from the Dutch league, but I think at Bayern Munich and Jurgen did a real good job to make him also better without the ball, and that’s what we are taking the benefits of right now.”
While Slot acknowledged Klopp’s role in Gravenberch’s growth, the midfielder’s recent comments suggest that his relationship with the German coach may not have been ideal. As Gravenberch continues to shine under Slot, Liverpool fans will hope that this newfound confidence helps the Reds in their quest for success this season.
Ryan Gravenberch Takes a Swipe at Klopp While Applauding Arne Slot’s Fresh Approach