'Big help': Arne Slot names the three Liverpool players who are really helping Ryan Gravenberch to shine
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Ryan Gravenberch continued his outstanding start to the 2024-25 campaign with another commanding display in midfield as Liverpool ran out 1-0 winners against Crystal Palace.
Diogo Jota’s first-half goal made all the difference for the Reds as they somehow came away with maximum points despite Palace’s efforts to restore parity in the closing stages of the game.
Gravenbech has been reinvented as a number six this season and has started every Premier League and UEFA Champions League game under Arne Slot.
Speaking after Liverpool’s win at Selhurst Park, Slot lavished praise on his compatriot and revealed exactly why he has taken to his new role like a fish to water.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes interesting Ryan Gravenberch admission
Starting alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, the Dutchman continued his rich vein of form and was one of the best players on the pitch for Liverpool.
Slot pinpointed Gravenberch’s quality on the ball and his touches as two important factors that prompted him to use him as a number six.
“He has certain characteristics to play in that position, and one of them is that he is really comfortable with the ball,” said Slot in his post-match press conference (quotes via Liverpoolfc.com).
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“Every time you play [it to] him, he knows what to do with it so he is really good in his one-, two-touch passes. But he is also very comfortable in turning away from his man so we can create an overload.”
The Liverpool manager also highlighted the fact that Gravenberch now has the freedom to express himself because he is surrounded by three quality players who constitute the spine of the Liverpool team.
Slot continued: “It's also very helpful for him to play in front of Virgil [van Dijk] and Ibou [Konate], to play next to Macca [Mac Allister] because it's a big help for him, those players, as well.
Gravenberch’s stats vs Crystal Palace
The 22-year-old had 89 touches of the ball and finished the game with a pass completion percentage of 92% (72/78 passes completed) to cap off another fine performance in midfield.
Read More:Joe Cole says VAR actually made a massive blunder in Liverpool's win against Crystal Palace
Gravenberch also made two key passes, created one big chance and won 100% of his ground duels (2/2) as he finished the game with a Sofascore rating of 7.3.
He is set to play a big role for the Netherlands as they prepare to face Hungary and Germany in the UEFA Nations League.
