When Arne Slot stepped into the Liverpool dugout following Jürgen Klopp’s emotional farewell in Could 2024, he inherited not solely a legacy but in addition a squad in flux. Quick ahead to the top of his debut Premier League marketing campaign, and Liverpool are champions once more — with a well-known vitality, however underpinned by new concepts. Amongst Slot’s boldest improvements was his reimagining of Ryan Gravenberch.
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The Dutch midfielder, beforehand utilized in extra superior or box-to-box roles, has been deployed on the base of Liverpool’s midfield three — a shift that raised eyebrows initially however in the end turned out to be one of many defining tactical successes of the season.
Gravenberch didn’t simply adapt to the No.6 position; he thrived in it, turning into a close to ever-present within the title run. From the opening day by way of to the decisive win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, he provided a mix of composure, physicality, and defensive nous that elevated Liverpool’s midfield construction.
Picture: IMAGO
How Mac Allister Helped Form the Determination
Talking to Sky Sports activities, Arne Slot provided uncommon perception into the genesis of this tactical tweak. The plan, apparently, started with a dialog — not simply with Gravenberch, however with Alexis Mac Allister.
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“I spoke to many of the gamers, possibly to all of them, of their summer time break,” stated Slot.“And one of many issues Alexis stated to me – and I additionally felt the identical about it – is that he has no downside enjoying as a No.6, he did fairly nicely the season earlier than, however he prefers to play with a No.6 behind him. And I feel that will get the perfect out of him. That’s additionally why we had been focused on signing a No.6.”
Relatively than store externally, Slot appeared inside — and located an answer in Gravenberch. It’s a reminder that typically the solutions lie not in recruitment, however in realigning what you have already got.
Why Gravenberch Matches the Function
What makes Ryan Gravenberch such a compelling choice on the base of midfield isn’t simply his pure capability on the ball — although that’s evident. It’s his poise beneath strain and energy in bodily duels that Slot discovered significantly eye-catching.
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“Ryan got here again one or two days earlier and that manner he may play the Manchester United sport [in the USA] in that place and I instantly appreciated it as a result of he was so snug on the ball,” Slot defined.“When you watch this sport again, there’s one second the place we performed the ball in direction of him and there was somebody who tried to press him and he simply used his physique, and the participant that pressed him didn’t see him again for a number of seconds. I instantly felt that will be a great asset to have.”
Picture: IMAGO
The numbers assist Slot’s evaluation. Gravenberch’s interception stats are among the many finest within the league for a defensive midfielder — however Slot was fast to credit score the workforce as a complete.“That’s additionally a workforce dynamic, as a result of if the entrance three don’t work sufficient, it’s exhausting for a No.6 to win the ball again,” he famous.
Room for Development — and Comparisons to Van Dijk
Regardless of his success, there’s nonetheless room for refinement in Gravenberch’s sport. Slot believes he may be extra incisive in progressing the ball shortly and discovering attacking teammates between the traces.
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“Possibly what he may add to his sport is possibly one- or two-touch play and discover much more gamers in between the traces. Possibly he can take Virgil [van Dijk] for instance as a result of Virgil is, for me, our greatest participant in that half, discovering gamers in between the traces.”
The comparability to Van Dijk is not any small praise. It factors not solely to Gravenberch’s potential but in addition to the belief and expectation that Slot locations in him.
What’s clear is that beneath Arne Slot, Liverpool are not merely preserving what Klopp constructed — they’re evolving it. Gravenberch’s transformation is symbolic of this new period: daring, clever, and quietly efficient.
As Liverpool look to construct on their title triumph, the Dutch midfielder might be the lynchpin in Slot’s long-term challenge at Anfield.
