Liverpool Midfielder Dismisses Exit Rumors, Eager to Thrive Under New Manager
Liverpool splashed out over £150 million last summer and saw a strong return on their investments, but one player will be hoping for a more successful individual campaign under the new boss. Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister regularly formed a midfield trio under Jurgen Klopp, often leaving Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch out of the starting lineup despite his clear ability.
Things haven’t been as smooth for the former Bayern Munich and Ajax star, but a new manager could provide a fresh start for the 21-year-old, who has now had a season to acclimatize to English football. Despite talk of a potential exit after failing to establish himself as a key starter, Gravenberch has quashed such rumors, expressing excitement for “Slot-ball” at Anfield.
“I hope to play here at Liverpool for years to come; it’s a top club. I’ve never spoken to Arne Slot, but he is a trainer who likes attacking football. That should suit me, you would think. We will see!” Gravenberch told AD.nl.
Criticism of Gravenberch is often unfair. Although he started just 12 league games and totaled less than 1,900 minutes, he managed 38 appearances across all competitions. The competition was fierce, with Curtis Jones and Mac Allister being mainstays in the first team, and Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott often occupying the right-hand side of the midfield trio.
In his first season, it was difficult for Gravenberch to get a consistent run of games to prove himself. While he has strong defensive capabilities, he is particularly effective driving with the ball, ranking in the 95th percentile for progressive carries per 90 minutes and the 97th for successful take-ons compared to other midfielders.
Gravenberch has demonstrated flashes of high football IQ. For example, in the 3-1 win against Fulham at the end of the season, he received the ball between the midfield and defense on the edge of the box and fired in an unstoppable curling finish after a brilliant first touch, following a perfect pass from Elliott. His shot-creating actions are in the 94th percentile, showing his effectiveness and directness in attack.
Under Slot, who is expected to favor a similar attacking setup, Gravenberch hopes to be given a chance to shine in midfield. Despite scoring just four times in all competitions, his expected goals and assists combined are in the elite bracket, suggesting that with more playing time, he could realize his full potential. However, at an elite club like Liverpool, multiple players are vying for each midfield spot, presenting a significant challenge.
Gravenberch remains optimistic about his future at Liverpool and is eager to impress under the new manager, hoping to secure a more prominent role in the upcoming season.