Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch believes that his impressive start to the season is down to the confidence that new Reds manager Arne Slot has shown in his abilities since taking charge at Anfield, Soccernet.football reports.
Gravenberch has thrived under Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot, becoming a first-team regular with 19 appearances across all competitions as the Reds lead both the Premier League and Champions League.
The 22-year-old has excelled in his defensive midfield role, leading the team in duels won (77) and sharing the top spot for interceptions (28) alongside Virgil van Dijk. He ranks third among his teammates in Premier League tackles, trailing only Alexis Mac Allister and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Gravenberch credits his resurgence to the confidence instilled by Slot.
“Now I play a lot of games as a starter, so it’s a little bit different,” the Netherlands international told a press conference. The coach gave me confidence when I needed it, and I’m happy that I can show myself again. Just the run of games, you really need it to be honest.
“Sometimes it’s really hard. For example, if you’re on the bench and the next game you play good, the next game you’re on the bench, then you come in for 10 minutes, then the 10 minutes are not really going how you want it.
“Then the next game you’re on the bench again, so that’s difficult. So yeah, just the run of games – that gives you the confidence if you’re doing good on the pitch.
“I’m happy that I’m playing. To be on the pitch again for 90 minutes and I can show off myself.”
Liverpool will place their perfect Champions League record on the line when they face 30th placed Girona on Tuesday. Despite the obvious gulf in quality between the Reds and their Spanish opponents, Gravenberch remains cautious of the challenge posed by Michel’s side.
“Of course, you want to win every game, so for us our aim is to win every group game and then we will see further. If we win every game, that would mean a lot to us,” he said.
“They have a good team, they really like to play out from the back, and they have really good players, so we have to be prepared for that. I think we are, and we have to show tomorrow that we can fight them.
“We know what we ask from each other, all the energy in pressing and in the build-up, deep runs and everything. We want to show that we can work harder than the opponent. We’re in a good position, but it’s still really early, so we have to [approach it] game-by-game, and we will see at the end of the season.”