Ryan Gravenberch has praised the confidence instilled in him by Arne Slot, with the Liverpool head coach being described as “lucky” by Dutch manager Ronald Koeman.
Gravenberch has emerged as an unexpected star in the early part of the season after Slot shifted him into a defensive midfield role during the preseason.
The 22-year-old delivered an outstanding performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, maintaining the team’s perfect start to the Premier League season under Slot.
Ryan Gravenberch attributes his success to the clear instructions and guidance provided by the new Liverpool manager.
“Of course things are going well, but I’m still myself,” he said.
“I’m just comfortable in my own skin.”
Of Slot, Gravenberch added: “He’s a good coach, has a clear plan.
“And he gives me confidence.”
Currently, Gravenberch is part of the Dutch squad preparing for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday and Germany next Tuesday.
Although he was included in the Netherlands squad for this summer’s European Championships, he did not feature in any matches as Koeman’s team reached the semi-finals before a dramatic loss to England.
He told ESPN: “If I’m honest, it kept nagging at me a bit.
“But when I was on holiday, it went away.
“I didn’t talk to the national coach about it anymore, life goes on, right?
“The European Championship is over, now the focus is on the Nations League.”
Ronald Koeman, who on Monday criticized Gravenberch’s past “laziness” as a player, closely observed Sunday’s match at Old Trafford.
The game featured several Dutch players and saw two Dutch managers, Arne Slot and Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag, go head-to-head in the dugout.
Despite Liverpool’s emphatic victory, Koeman believes that Slot has benefited from inheriting a formidable attacking lineup including Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz.
He suggests that Slot’s performance is only marginally superior to that of his compatriot Ten Hag.
“I watched because of the many Dutch players,” said the Holland head coach.
“But of course I also looked at it from a manager’s point of view.
“Arne Slot is doing a slightly better job.
“But if you have the front three that he has, you must realise you are lucky.”
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