NewsArne Slot: It's no surprise to see Ryan Gravenberch shining

Liverpool No.38 Gravenberch has started all five games for his club so far this season, impressing as the Reds have won four, most recently chalking up a fine 3-1 comeback victory at AC Milan in the Champions League.

Slot has been using his fellow Dutchman in an altered position deeper in the midfield, and Gravenberch’s excelling there is a reflection of his talent and application, says the head coach.

“I wouldn’t say I was surprised,” the Reds boss told reporters. “I saw him playing at Ajax when he came up into the first team and everybody saw back then what a special talent he was.

“And probably for that reason he went to two amazing clubs, Bayern Munich and Liverpool – and you can only go to these clubs if they see you have a lot of quality.

“Then it is up to us to make sure we get the best out of him and that is not only down to what as a training staff we do – also he is the most important for that.

“But again his teammates make him better as well. Notice how Virgil [van Dijk] played balls through the lines to him [against Milan], so it is always a team thing behind good individual performances.

“I think it helps if it is not the first time you have to do this. So every day on the training pitch trying to receive balls through the lines, in games he receives balls through the lines.

“That helps your confidence if things go well and it’s what you see at the moment – you see a Ryan who is full of confidence and that comes normally with good performances and trusting your teammates and knowing that you can do what you have to at that level.”