Liverpool Star Admits He’s More Content Under Slot Than Klopp, as Tactical Shift That Crushed Man Utd is Revealed
Ryan Gravenberch has expressed his joy about playing under Arne Slot at Liverpool, highlighting how the manager’s style contrasts with that of Jurgen Klopp.
Additionally, Gravenberch discussed the tactical shift that played a key role in Liverpool’s victory over Manchester United last weekend.
The Dutch midfielder joined Liverpool last summer, marking the final addition of the club’s four summer signings. He became the last player signed during the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield.
Liverpool paid £34.2 million (€40 million / $44.4 million) to bring the 22-year-old from Bayern Munich, where he had struggled for regular playing time under then-manager Thomas Tuchel, prompting his move in search of more first-team opportunities.
Despite making 38 appearances in his debut season at Liverpool, Gravenberch started only 20 matches.
The Netherlands international, who has been capped 12 times, often found himself on the bench, overshadowed by players like Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
This season, however, Gravenberch has claimed the defensive midfield position for himself, starting all three of Liverpool’s matches so far. He played the full 90 minutes in two of them and lasted 89 minutes in the third, solidifying his role in the team.
Under Liverpool’s more possession-oriented style, which differs from Klopp’s approach, Gravenberch has thrived in his midfield role. His impressive performances came after the club’s failed attempt to lure Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to Anfield.
Gravenberch has openly shared his satisfaction with life under Arne Slot, crediting the manager for boosting his confidence.
This newfound form may influence Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes to reconsider signing a new No. 6 in 2025.
“I just feel good in my skin, to be honest. But does that have a reason? Yeah, things are going well at the club,” Gravenberch told ESPN Netherlands. ‘I’m just doing my thing, and it’s working out well now.
“He [Slot] gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the lineup. It’s going pretty well. As a player, you obviously want to get minutes. For me, that confidence is part of it. With that confidence, I feel more comfortable, and with the minutes, it keeps getting better.
“He’s a good coach. He knows what he wants. He has a clear plan. Yeah, so far, we’re executing it really well. Clarity from the start is always nice for me.”
Gravenberch feels a tweak in their tactical system has brought out the best in his game, adding:
“There were sometimes matches in which I had only touched the ball once after five or six minutes. Then you don’t get into your game. Now I get the ball more, then you get more comfortable.”
The Merseysiders have maintained a perfect record with three wins under Slot, remaining the only team across all 92 professional clubs in English football yet to concede a goal this season.
Shedding light on their tactics, particularly the high press that overwhelmed Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday—exemplified by Luis Diaz dispossessing Casemiro in the lead-up to his second goal—Slot remarked:
“I normally don’t use the word ‘proud’ but what I think we did very well in all three games is, like I just mentioned, the work-rate without the ball.
“So, we try to press the opponent as high as we can but if they play through or over our press, I see everybody working really hard to make sure we don’t need Ali (Alisson Becker) and sometimes we do and then it’s a good thing that we have a real good goalkeeper.”
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool Face Concern Over Alexis Mac Allister as Agent Addresses Possible Transfer
