NewsHow Ryan Gravenberch turned pre-season excitement into brilliant Liverpool form

The Dutchman has been a standout performer for Liverpool in the opening months of the campaign, receiving widespread praise and the Standard Chartered Player of the Month award for September.

After Euro 2024, where he was part of the Netherlands' squad, Gravenberch was keen to get working with new head coach Arne Slot and build on a first year full of learning.

Speaking in the latest edition of Walk On, the club's eMagazine, the No.38 said: "It was really nice to be back at Liverpool after the summer because I was very excited to start this season and really happy to work under the new coach. So far it has been really nice.

"We started on zero again with the new coach. Everyone started on zero and had to… not impress, but show themselves again because we have a new coach who is making new decisions.

"Training is different, of course, because there is different staff. We are doing different exercises. [Jürgen] Klopp had his exercises and the coach likes to do his own exercises so I think it's a bit different this season, but as I said it has been nice.

"I think he likes everything in position, for us to be in possession and to kill the opponent with passes. I am really happy with that style and enjoy the way we play."

Having arrived at the Reds from Bayern Munich on deadline day, Gravenberch made 38 appearances in all competitions in 2023-24, collecting a Carabao Cup winner's medal along the way.

The midfielder feels his performances this term wouldn't have been possible without the experiences collected during his adaptation period.

"I think I had an OK season for my first season in the Premier League," Gravenberch continued. "My goal was to get more minutes than I had at my previous club and I reached that goal.

"There were ups and downs, but in the end I look back at my first season at Liverpool with a good feeling.

"The Premier League is quicker than German football. It is more intense, both when you are in possession and when you are pressing.

"Counter-attacks are at speed and I think you get more time on the ball when you are in possession in the Bundesliga. You have to adapt here, but how quickly you adapt depends.

"Every player is different and, to be honest, I like a period to adapt. I wasn't used to the Premier League, of course, and I didn't play a lot of football before I came here, but I had the time to adapt and I really needed it.

"It can take time to build relationships on the pitch and, what I said, every player is different. I think if you train a lot with your teammates you adapt to them quicker and adapt to the league quicker."

Slot's side sit at the top of the Premier League entering the October international break, with winning starts also made in the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Trophies are the ultimate aim for Gravenberch and his teammates, though they are fully aware the level-headed approach that has served them well up to this point needs to remain.

"We just have to see game by game and not look too far in front," the 22-year-old stressed. "Of course, as a player you want to win a lot of prizes, especially the Premier League, but the other prizes as well.

"It is an exciting time to be at Liverpool and, for me, this season, my goal is to win more prizes. That is my big aim for this season, but we will see game by game."

• Read September's issue of Walk On here