From Doubt to Dominance: Gravenberch’s Liverpool Revival Explained | OneFootball

Gravenberch’s Rise: Slot’s Gamble Turns Into Liverpool’s Midfield Masterstroke

From Doubts to Dominance

When Liverpool appointed Arne Slot as manager to succeed Jürgen Klopp in May 2024, few expected Ryan Gravenberch to become one of the club’s standout stars. A player with pedigree but one who had drifted on the periphery under Klopp, the Dutchman has now become the symbol of Liverpool’s rebirth in midfield. As the Daily Mirror reports, Slot’s decision to deploy Gravenberch in a deeper role was the catalyst for transformation.

“When the coach told me about where he wanted me to play, I just thought ‘when can I start?’” said Gravenberch. The honesty is striking, the hunger clear. Still, he admitted, “I knew I could do it, even though defensively I sometimes had my doubts.”

Photo: IMAGO

That admission reflects the journey many Dutch midfielders face when transitioning to the Premier League. The intensity, the physicality, the need to run — it all demands more than just silky technique.

Slot’s System and Midfield Evolution

Under Slot, Liverpool’s midfield was recalibrated. Gravenberch, who had won trophies at Ajax and Bayern, now had to win over sceptical fans and, more importantly, the trust of his new manager. He made 37 starts in 38 Premier League matches — the Reds won the title, and Gravenberch was central to that achievement.

“I do think I took a big step forward because it actually went naturally,” he explained. Sometimes, the simplest changes bring the most profound effects. Slot shifted him deeper, and Gravenberch became the midfield enforcer Klopp had never fully unleashed.

“From the first training session it went pretty well,” he added, his confidence gradually replacing the uncertainty of last summer.

Pressure, Recovery and Adaptation

The rigours of Premier League football pushed him to the limit. “Football has become a running sport – running, running, running,” he said. “The intensity is of course higher than before, especially in the Premier League.” It’s a different world from the positional calm of Ajax.

“Good question. It’s a matter of recovering well, where the people at Liverpool also deserve a big compliment.”

What changed wasn’t just the role, but the entire environment around him. “As the season went on, opponents started to put a different pressure on us and closed us down through the middle,” he observed. “But that created space somewhere else. It was up to us to find the free players.”

Looking Ahead with Confidence

Gravenberch’s success has also reignited his international ambitions. Left out of the last Euros squad, he now sees himself in contention again.

“At Liverpool I was given the chance to become a base player and to show myself. That was my goal and I succeeded,” he said.

“I can play in all positions in midfield, but especially at ‘six’ and ‘eight’. I am curious to see what he chooses. Before at Ajax, I really wanted to play left-half, but now I don’t care anymore.”

As he puts it, “What happened at the European Championships can happen – and then you have to move on.” Liverpool certainly did. And so did he.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This is exactly what fans dreamed of when Arne Slot walked through the door — rejuvenation, bravery and a proper midfield identity. Ryan Gravenberch, once seen as a luxury option, has evolved into a necessity. His transition to the number six role has given Liverpool balance, ball progression and steel, the kind of blend missing since the early Fabinho years.

Gravenberch’s versatility is gold dust in a modern Premier League side, especially one trying to replace the tactical complexity Klopp’s system once delivered. Slot’s trust and tactical clarity have done what many thought impossible — unlocked the full potential of a player caught between systems.

The stats speak volumes, but so does the body language. Gravenberch looks like a man reborn. To have gone from a Euros snub to a Premier League title-winner in under a year is more than just development — it’s redemption.

There’s rightful excitement about what comes next. If he maintains this trajectory, Liverpool may not just have a key starter, but a future captain in their ranks. The fans have bought in. So has the player. And crucially, so has the system.