How Ryan Gravenberch transformed the enthusiasm of the preseason into outstanding Liverpool performance

When Ryan Gravenberch reported for preseason, he had a positive feeling about 2024–25. He tells how he transformed that optimism into exceptional form.

The Dutchman has won the Standard Chartered Player of the Month award for September and garnered a lot of plaudits for his outstanding performance for Liverpool in the first few months of the season.

Gravenberch was eager to start working with new head coach Arne Slot after playing for the Netherlands in Euro 2024 and building on a learning-intensive first year.

“It was really nice to be back at Liverpool after the summer because I was very excited to start this season and really happy to work under the new coach,” the No. 38 stated in an interview with the club’s eMagazine, Walk On, which was released recently. It’s been extremely pleasant so far.

“With the new coach, we started over from scratch. We have a new coach who is making fresh judgments, so everyone started from scratch and had to… not impress, but present themselves again.

Naturally, training varies due to the diverse personnel. We’re working out in different ways. I believe this season has been a little different since [Jürgen] Klopp had his own workout routine and the coach like to work out alone, but as I mentioned, it has been pleasant.

“I believe he enjoys having us in possession and using passes to the opposition. I love the way we play and am quite content with that style.”

Gravenberch joined the Reds from Bayern Munich on the day of the deadline and played in 38 games in all competitions in 2023–24, winning a Carabao Cup.

The midfielder believes that without the experiences he gained during his adaptation time, his performances this season would not have been possible.

Gravenberch went on to say, “I think I had an OK season for my first season in the Premier League,” “I achieved my objective of playing more minutes than I had at my last club.

“My first season at Liverpool had its ups and downs, but overall, I feel happy about it.

“German football is slower than the Premier League. Both when you are pressing and when you are in possession, it is more intense.

“In the Bundesliga, counterattacks are quick, and I believe you have more time with the ball when you are in possession. Here, you must adjust, although it will vary how quickly you do so.

Since each player is unique, I must admit that I prefer some time to adjust. Naturally, I wasn’t accustomed to the Premier League and didn’t play much football before to coming here, but I had the time and the need to adjust.

Building relationships on the field can take time, and as I mentioned earlier, each athlete is unique. I believe that you adjust to your teammates and the league more quickly if you train with them frequently.

With successful starts in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Slot’s team leads the Premier League going into the October international break.

Gravenberch and his teammates are conscious that the level-headed strategy that has worked well for them thus far must continue, but trophies are their ultimate goal.

The 22-year-old emphasized, “We just have to see game by game and not look too far in front.” “As a player, you naturally want to win a lot of awards, particularly in the Premier League, but you also want to win other awards.

“Being at Liverpool is great right now, and I want to win more awards this season. My main goal for this season is that, but we’ll see how it plays out game by game.