Slot: “Gravenberch has surprised me with his defensive game at Liverpool” | OneFootball

Arne Slot Surprised by Ryan Gravenberch’s Defensive Qualities

Liverpool have seen an impressive rise in the form of Ryan Gravenberch this season, particularly under the guidance of Arne Slot. The Dutch midfielder, primarily known for his prowess on the ball, has taken on a deeper role as a holding midfielder. Even Slot himself has been “surprised” by one aspect of Gravenberch’s development on the pitch.

Gravenberch Shines in Wolves Victory

Liverpool’s recent 2-1 victory over Wolves saw Gravenberch receive widespread praise, with nearly 75% of fans voting him as their player of the match. His coach, Arne Slot, echoed this sentiment, remarking on how vital Gravenberch was to the team’s overall play.

Slot told Sky Sports: “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.

“You want to have the ball; you want to keep it as long as you can. It always helps if you have two players that are so comfortable on the ball in the holding midfielder position, and the two of them can run as well.”

This ability to control possession is key to Liverpool’s tactics, and Gravenberch’s performance reflected a growing confidence in his new role. While he displayed great composure and technical skill, it was his contributions off the ball that surprised both Slot and Liverpool supporters.

Defensive Contributions Take Centre Stage

Gravenberch has always been known for his skill on the ball, but Slot highlighted his defensive work as a key improvement. In the match against Wolves, it was his defensive efforts that stood out the most, catching even Slot off guard.

“To be completely honest, that surprised me even a bit because I know him from the Dutch league, but I think at Bayern Munich and Jurgen (Klopp) 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,” Slot said.

The statistics reinforce this. Against Wolves, Gravenberch made six recoveries, three tackles, and won all eight of his duels, according to Fotmob. His off-the-ball contributions were instrumental in ensuring Liverpool maintained control, especially during critical moments of the match.

Patience in Play and the Winning Goal

Although Gravenberch’s individual performance was a highlight, Liverpool’s overall play still left room for improvement. Slot admitted that while the Reds took all three points, there were areas where the team could be more patient and composed. He pointed to Ibrahima Konate’s opener as a positive example of how patience paid off.

Photo: IMAGO

“What stands out for me is the patience we had because I’ve spoken about this a few times already. Sometimes I feel we have to be more patient, especially against a low block team – I’m not saying Wolves were that today but in this moment, I think it was a second-phase corner kick,” Slot explained.

“We were patient, kept circulating the ball and waiting for the right moment to bring the ball in.”

It’s clear that patience and controlled play are essential to Slot’s vision for Liverpool. The team may not have dominated from start to finish, but they found a way to grind out a result, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

Looking Ahead: Room for Improvement

While Liverpool can celebrate their win, Slot was quick to recognise that tougher tests lie ahead. Facing the Premier League’s top teams will require even better performances, particularly in terms of maintaining focus for the full 90 minutes.

Gravenberch’s growth, both on and off the ball, will undoubtedly be a key factor in Liverpool’s future success. As the young midfielder continues to adapt and refine his game under Slot’s leadership, the Reds will be hoping to build on this momentum as they push for greater consistency.