Ryan Gravenberch has thrived as a No.6 in Arne Slot’s system at Liverpool this season
Liverpool have entered the first international break of the 2024/25 season in scintillating form. After their fantastic victory over arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, Arne Slot is making the Premier League look easy.
This is without practically any major acquisitions in the recently concluded summer transfer window. Italy international Federico Chiesa arrived from Juventus on transfer deadline day but he missed the trip to Old Trafford after the club failed to register him in time, while Georgian goalkeeper Georgi Mamardashvili signed from Valencia and returned to the Spanish club on loan for the season.
The Reds had made Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi their primary midfield target in the summer transfer window and were willing to activate the player’s £51.3m release clause before being told that the Euro 2024 winner wanted to remain at his boyhood club.
Instead of pursuing alternative targets for Zubimendi, Arne Slot chose to stick with the resources he inherited from the legendary Jurgen Klopp. He has decided to deploy Ryan Gravenberch as the deepest-lying playmaker in a midfield three also comprising Dominic Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool’s opening three Premier League games.
The Netherlands international, who has largely operated as a box-to-box midfielder during his Ajax and Bayern Munich days, has thrived as a No.6, impressing both on and off the ball in the Reds’ sensational start to the new season. In addition to being a composed passer of the ball, he has also caught the eye with his defensive work.
And after another astounding display in Liverpool’s win over Man United on Sunday, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright feels Arne Slot will be delighted with Gravenberch’s flexibility to make the new No.6 role his own.
“His defensive work in that particular game was something they would have looked at and thought ‘wow’ because he is not a natural No.6, he’s more of a No.8 who wants to get forward into the box and scores goals,” Ian Wright said on the Kelly and Wrighty show. (h/t The Metro)
“But they must have been pleasantly surprised or they’ve seen in training how good he is doing that defensive role if he gets himself in that position.
“We know Liverpool, they go for their man and if they don’t get their man like Zubimendi, they don’t then just go for the next one.
“They are happy to wait and see and they’ve obviously tried Ryan in there and, at the moment three games in, it looks very solid.”
Gravenberch was instrumental in Liverpool’s dominance over Man United, exhibiting his ability to control the tempo of play and break up the Erik ten Hag-managed side’s forays in the final third. He acted as the proper screen for the Reds’ backline, keeping things ticking over along with fellow midfielders Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
The 23-year-old not only intercepted the ball that resulted in the opening goal but also efficiently nullified the influence of creative Man United players like Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo for large parts of the game. His understanding of the game, movement, passing technique and diligent work rate were crucial to Slot’s men enjoying a field day at Old Trafford.
More Liverpool News
- Arne Slot praised for reigniting lost ‘control’ at Liverpool
- Arne Slot recognizes Liverpool star who will be a key cog in his Liverpool machine
- Liverpool boss Arne Slot sends statisticians into a tizzy with spectacular numbers
It was a fantastic display from the Dutch midfielder, helping Slot execute his plan to perfection against his adversary Ten Hag. Gravenberch, truly, deserves all the praise he is getting from all corners of the world now after an underwhelming debut season at Anfield.
