“I Have to Go” – Ryan Gravenberch Reveals Sadio Mane’s Role in Liverpool Transfer
Liverpool might owe a debt of gratitude to Sadio Mane for playing a subtle yet influential role in Ryan Gravenberch’s move to Merseyside in 2023, with the former winger speaking highly of the club.
Gravenberch and Mane shared a dressing room at Bayern Munich during the season preceding the midfielder’s transfer to Liverpool. The pair played together on 20 occasions before ultimately parting ways.
Mane departed for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia during the summer of 2023, while Jurgen Klopp capitalised on Gravenberch’s limited opportunities at Bayern, securing a deal that has since proven to be a stroke of genius.
Although Liverpool finalised the Dutchman’s transfer on deadline day, discussions and speculation had been ongoing for months, including a conversation with Mane.
In an episode of Liverpool’s ‘A Day With’, Gravenberch reflected on his departure from Bayern and his time spent playing alongside one of Anfield’s finest wingers.
“Sadio is a really nice guy,” Gravenberch said. “When I was in Munich, I asked him also about Liverpool, if it’s like a good step for me and how the club was and everything.
“He said a lot of good things. So, in my head I was like, ‘I have to go!’”
The immediate reply from host Rubi Deschamps was, “Basically Sadio sold you [the move]?” and Gravenberch responded with an enthusiastic “Yeah!” as the pair shared a laugh.
Thanks, Sadio – once a Red, always a Red!
In his debut season under Klopp, Gravenberch made 21 starts across 38 appearances, but it is Arne Slot who has unlocked the 22-year-old’s potential, transforming him into a key figure in the squad.
On his countryman’s arrival, Gravenberch said: “I knew him because I played against him when he was at Feyenoord.
“The first conversation was on the phone, he called me and he asked me how I was feeling and how he sees me in the team, as a No. 6 and as a No. 8.
“Before I came here that was also the positions I liked to play – more the No. 8 than the No. 6 – but this season he put me on the No. 6 and done really well.
On the reception from fans, he added: “It feels really nice because this is what you want, playing football, playing for such a big club and playing good as well, so the feeling is really nice. I hope I can keep this feeling.”
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