Arne Slot Helped Me Regain My Form

Ryan Gravenberch has expressed how the clarity provided by manager Arne Slot regarding his role in the Liverpool team has been instrumental in his successful start to the new season. This season, Gravenberch has been a key player, starting all three of Liverpool’s Premier League matches, during which the team has achieved three victories, including a notable 3-0 triumph against Manchester United.

Playing primarily in the No. 6 position, Gravenberch has effectively partnered with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, contributing to the team’s strong performance. His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, garnering praise from various pundits in the football community. Gravenberch is eager to carry this momentum into upcoming international duties with the Netherlands.

“I just feel good in my skin, to be honest,” Gravenberch shared with ESPN Netherlands. “But does that have a reason? Yeah, things are going well at the club. I’m just doing my thing, and it’s working out well now.” His confidence has notably surged, largely due to the support and trust shown to him by Slot.

Gravenberch acknowledged Slot’s influence, stating, “He gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the lineup. It’s going pretty well.” For a player, earning minutes on the pitch is crucial. “For me, that confidence is part of it. With that confidence, I feel more comfortable, and with the minutes, it keeps getting better,” he added.

He also praised Slot’s coaching style, recognizing his clear vision and strategic approach to the game. “He’s a good coach. He knows what he wants. He has a clear plan. Yeah, so far, we’re executing it really well. Clarity from the start is always nice for me,” Gravenberch said.

Reflecting back on his previous experiences, Gravenberch noted that he had the potential to shine last year. However, despite being part of the Netherlands squad at the summer European Championships, he did not receive any playing time. That disappointment lingered with him over the off-season.

“It did gnaw at me a little,” he admitted. “Because, when you go to the Euros, of course, you want to play. But in the end, we have to move on. The Euros are in the past. And now we’re here.” Moving forward, Gravenberch is determined to leave that frustration behind.

Life goes on for the young player, who emphasized the importance of focusing on future competitions. “The Euros are over, and now we have to focus on the Nations League. And in two years, there’s the World Cup again,” he noted.

After taking some time away to clear his mind during the off-season, Gravenberch has set his sights on proving himself during the Netherlands’ upcoming matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany in the Nations League. He plans to demonstrate his value through hard work in training, with the hope of translating that effort into opportunities during matches when the coach decides to call upon him.