Interview'We have to show up from the start' - Ryan Gravenberch previews Liverpool's trip to Brentford
Ryan Gravenberch and his teammates know the cause of their recent tendency to begin games slowly and are resolved to avoid a repeat when Liverpool visit Brentford.
The Reds have fallen behind in five of their last seven Premier League fixtures, although their powers of recovery mean they have not lost any of those matches.
On Tuesday night, Nottingham Forest’s first attack of note saw them take an early lead, before Diogo Jota came off the bench to equalise and earn a 1-1 draw for the visitors at the City Ground.
Next up for Arne Slot’s league leaders is Saturday’s 3pm GMT kick-off at Gtech Community Stadium and Gravenberch told Liverpoolfc.com: “It will be a difficult game, of course.
“We know also from last season, it was not easy, and we have to give our all. We have to start better than the game at Forest and then I think we have a good chance to win the game.”
On the specifics behind their slow starts, the Netherlands midfielder explained: “It’s just the intensity what we give [and] I think also when we look at it back, it’s just the intensity in pressing and making the deep runs etc.
“It’s just that and we have to give that always from the start and then it will change, for sure.”
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Watch on YouTubeSlot’s side dominated the second half of their meeting with third-placed Forest, who were indebted to an outstanding display from goalkeeper Matz Sels that preserved their point after Jota’s leveller.
“I think we didn’t start really well, we gave them a chance away and they scored directly so you come 1-0 behind,” Gravenberch reflected.
“We knew before we went there it would be a really difficult game and when you go 1-0 behind it’s difficult, but I think in the second half we gave everything and we created a lot of chances but we didn’t finish them. That was a bit disappointing but I think we played a really good second half.
“I think 100 per cent [we can take that momentum into Saturday] because we gave everything in the second half. We created a lot of chances, we didn’t finish them but we created, and we have Brentford on the weekend and then we have to show [that] again – but from the start I think.”
Gravenberch has established himself as a regular fixture at the base of Liverpool’s midfield under Slot and has already played around 500 minutes more for the club this season than he did in 2023-24.
The 22-year-old has started every Premier League and Champions League game so far this campaign and was asked how he is keeping himself fit and fresh during a physically demanding season.
He replied: “I just want to give everything when I am on the pitch. I want to show myself every day and also I just look after my body well, in terms of recovery I do everything, so I am really happy with the minutes that I have now and that I can show myself to everyone.
“You want to give everything and at the end titles are decided at the end of the season so you have to stay fit and give everything.”
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