Thiago HAILS Ryan Gravenberch's midfield impact | OneFootball

One of the standout players of Arne Slot’s tenure at Liverpool so far has been Ryan Gravenberch, who has played a much bigger role under the new boss.

It looked almost certain that Liverpool would sign a holding midfielder this summer but, after a deal for Martin Zubimendi fell through, they decided to give Ryan Gravenberch the opportunity to prove himself.

Although the 22-year-old only played a bit-part role in Jurgen Klopp’s last season at Anfield, he has stepped up under his new boss and has received plenty of praise for his performances.

Gravenberch has played almost every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign so far, being substituted in injury time against Brentford, and has made Liverpool’s no.6 spot his own.

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Thiago full of praise for Gravenberch

Thiago returned to Anfield on Saturday for the first time since he left the club in the summer and the Spanish maestro has heaped praise on Slot’s new star.

“Sometimes as a number six, you can see he is flowing through midfield and it's pretty good to see how he is involving himself and adapting to that position” Thiago said, via the Liverpool ECHO.

"He is an intelligent kid so he will adapt fast to the moments in the game and anything the coach says. He has done that.”

Thiago arrived at Liverpool in 2020 and spent four years at Anfield before retiring this summer.

Football - 2023 / 2024 Premier League - Liverpool vs Manchester United, ManU - Anfield - Sunday 19th May 2024 Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool with owner John Henry and club CEO Billy Horgan after the game, at Anfield. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK

Gravenberch’s excellent start

It is not just Liverpool supporters who are taking note of Gravenberch’s excellent start to the campaign, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman recently recalled the midfielder to the Dutch national team and Gravenberch started both games during the international break.

Gravenberch was also one of the standout players in Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, endearing himself to the Anfield faithful even more.

The future is bright for Liverpool’s Dutch midfielder and Gravenberch will get the chance to prove himself  further when Liverpool enter the UEFA Champions League, for the first time since he signed, with a visit to the San Siro to take on AC Milan on Tuesday 17 September.

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