'Masterstroke': Danny Murphy says Arne Slot has completely transformed £34m Liverpool player after 4-1 Ipswich win
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Liverpool were 4-1 winners on the weekend against Ipswich Town, with Ryan Gravenberch once again in the starting XI for the Reds.
The Dutch international has been the surprise story of the season for the Anfield side, with Gravenberch becoming one of Arne Slot’s must-trusted players since replacing Jurgen Klopp as the former Bayern Munich man has made himself irreplaceable in the midfield.
Signed for £34m, Gravenberch has been compared to Patrick Vieira for his performances this season for Liverpool, with the 22-year-old showing no sign of slowing down just yet for the Merseyside giants this campaign.
Whilst unspectacular, Gravenberch’s presence in the starting XI alongside Alexis Mac Allister has been vital to Liverpool’s form, and Danny Murphy believes Slot has pulled off a tactical blinder in how the Dutch manager has used his fellow countryman.
READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberch hailed as an 'artist' for Liverpool performances this season
Gravenberch’s new role has transformed Liverpool this season
Speaking on Match of the Day, the pundit said Slot’s use of Gravenberch this season has ‘been a masterstroke’ from the new Liverpool manager, who has managed to transform the former Ajax star into one of the most exciting youngsters in the Premier League.
With AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo lauding Gravenberch as one of his toughest opponents in the English top-flight this season, Gravenberch’s transformation has been nothing short of remarkable given how unspectacular the midfielder was in Klopp’s final year at Anfield.
And for Murphy’s, Slot’s tactical tweaks to Gravenberch’s game has been genius from the former Feyenoord manager, who has been the ideal trainer for the Dutch international and the perfect coach to get the youngster’s Liverpool career off the ground at long last.
Murphy said: “I’ve eulogized in recent weeks about Liverpool’s forward players and the creativity, dynamism and depth, but I think the bedrock of their success is the centre-halves in Van Dijk and Konate and Gravenberch just in front, which has been a masterstroke from Arne Slot.”
What has Slot said about Gravenberch’s form this season?
With Gravenberch one of Liverpool’s top appearance makers in 2024, it’s clear that the Dutch youngster already holds a special place in the heart of Slot, who has been central to the midfielder’s rebirth at Anfield this season.
And the former Eredivisie head coach has been impressed with what he’s seen from the 22-year-old, with Slot lauding Gravenberch after playing at centre-back last month against Fulham in a 2-2 draw against the Cottagers.
Although Slot isn’t convinced Gravenberch will become the next Toni Kroos, it’s clear that the midfielder is set for a big future at Liverpool in the coming years, with the youngster looking set to anchor the starting XI for the next decade.
