Q&ARyan Gravenberch on Champions League aims, midfield determination and more
Ryan Gravenberch discussed Liverpool’s huge determination to keep on winning in the Champions League ahead of Tuesday’s fixture at Girona.
Arne Slot’s side have begun this season’s competition in Europe with a 100 per cent record, claiming five victories from five in the league phase so far.
The Reds are now in Spain to take on La Liga opposition for game six, sitting top of the table having already earned a place in the knockout stages.
A victory over Girona would help take Liverpool another step closer to earning a finish in the top eight and as a result secure a spot directly into the last 16, receiving a bye past the initial play-off round.
After touching down on Monday evening, Gravenberch previewed the fixture and talked about the Reds’ European aims and much more during a press conference.
Read the midfielder’s Q&A with the media in full below…
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Watch on YouTubeOn trying to finish top of the standings…
Of course, you want to win every game, so for us our aim is to win every group game and then we will see further. If we win every game, that would mean a lot to us.
On how his fitness levels are after being involved so much…
Your first question, I feel good, I feel fit. When you play a lot of minutes you get fitter and fitter and for me that’s the thing.
On how much he is enjoying playing an important role this season…
For me, the first season was not that frustrating. My aim was to play a lot more minutes than I had before and I did. Now, I am just happy to play 90 minutes again and be every game on the pitch and that I show myself. I am really happy to be part of this team.
On playing as a number six and whether he is still learning the role…
Yes, of course. I think everyone can still improve – so can I. It goes really well but maybe I can do a bit more in defending. I am really happy with the performances I now have and so I have to keep going.
On people making comparisons between him and Toni Kroos…
Yeah! It’s nice to hear that, of course, because Toni Kroos is a legend of the game. He did a lot of good things, so it’s nice to hear.
On taking confidence from wins over Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen…
It’s nice, it’s nice to beat them because they are really good teams. For us, we look game by game and then we’ll say further.
On whether he models himself on anyone in the number six role…
No, not really, to be honest! I just want to be myself.
On enjoying playing so many games and whether there will become a point where he may want a break…
For now, it is nice to play every single game but maybe in the future, when you play a lot of games… I think we played 20 games in the Champions League and competitions. When you reach the 60 or 70 games it’s really crazy, but for now it’s OK.
On what he has learned from Liverpool’s South American players…
Just the willingness to give everything. They give everything. If you see the power they give and the 100 per cent always being on, I think that is the most part of what I learned from them.
On Alexis Mac Allister’s absence against Girona…
We know Macca is a really good player and we will miss him because he is a top player with really good quality. We do also have other midfielders that are really good and I think they will show that tomorrow also, so we will see.
On whether he has spoken with former teammates Daley Blind and Donny van de Beek about Girona…
I haven’t spoken with them but it is really nice to see them again because I played a few years with them. I played longer with Daley than Donny, but it’s nice to see them again tomorrow.
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.