In Jurgen Klopp’s system, Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch made 26 appearances in his first Premier League season as an inside-half, but most of these came from the middle of the park and he was unable to secure a regular place in the team.
When manager Arne Slot took over and changed his position to defensive midfielder, his talent was awakened.He has been in the starting line-up continuously since the opening day of the season and has had a great start to the season, including a place in his country’s full national team.
The 22-year-old young midfielder confessed that he sought advice from last season’s regulars, Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Japan midfielder Wataru Endo, in his new role and admitted that he continues to feel good on a personal level.
“It feels good but to be honest I have to adapt more because I’m not a natural defending No 6. First [at the start of his career] I was like a more attacking midfielder, so for myself I have to adapt more.”
“I think the first games were really good but I have to keep improving. We have a lot of possession and I have a lot of the ball and that is what I wanted, so it feels good, it feels comfortable.”
“I spoke to Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] because obviously last season he played a lot there and also [Wataru] Endo about what they used to do, anticipating where the ball can come, just some little chats.”
The Guardian
He continues to be one of the best performers in England, but he is starting to tire from national team games, and the key to his future will be whether he can continue his current style of play into the middle and second half of the season.
Liverpool are looking to secure a new defensive midfielder, and a rival could emerge as early as this winter. In that case, it should basically be a rotation, but the pecking order will stand out depending on whether he can be trusted to start in important games.
At the moment, however, there is almost no chance of him dropping down to a regular role. Will he continue to develop and make his mark as one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League?