InterviewRyan Gravenberch on confidence, Klopp connection and Gakpo inspiration
Ryan Gravenberch feels he is adapting well and growing in confidence as he aims to help Liverpool maintain their positive season so far.
The summer signing made his 16th appearance for the Reds when he came on as a late substitute in Wednesday night’s 2-0 victory at Sheffield United.
The hard-fought result was the team’s 10th win of the Premier League season and Jürgen Klopp’s side sit second in the table, two points behind Arsenal.
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Gravenberch said of his adaptation into the midfield and confidence levels: “We train a lot and in training we do a lot of 11v0, 11v11 and we can feel the strengths of each other. I think at the end I can play very well with them.
“When I spoke to [the manager before signing] he just said to me, you’ll get your chances and you have to take them. I’m very happy that I got a chance, that Liverpool came, that I’m here and that I can play again.
“I have a good connection with the coach. When he has something to say to me about the game or something else, we just talk with each other. I have a good connection with him.
“He just gave me the confidence, gave me minutes on the pitch again. He just told me [to] enjoy the game again, and that’s what I did. With the minutes, the confidence came back.
“For me, yes [it’s that easy]! Of course you have to play well but if you get minutes and do your own things that you’re good at, of course it will come back.”
Upon arriving at Anfield from Bayern Munich in September, Gravenberch linked up with two compatriots in the form of Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.
The No.38 detailed the helpful support he has received from his fellow Dutchmen, while also explaining why Gakpo’s development since joining the Reds at the beginning of 2023 serves as inspiration.
“They just had positivity about this club,” he said. “When I came here, Virg is the captain and when you need something you just can ask him and he organises it for you. And also with Cody. I’m very happy that they helped me a lot.
“If you see Gakpo now, at PSV he was a really good player but I think here he made even the next step. When you see him in games, also on Sunday when he came on, you see the impact that he made on the team.
“I’m very happy with that and I want also to be like him in the future.”
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