Ryan Gravenberch has welcomed the affect of Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, by way of the captain making certain he continues to develop as a No.6.
Gravenberch has been distinctive this season, starring in a double pivot subsequent to Alexis Mac Allister and arguably being the Reds’ finest participant.
The Dutchman is displaying the defensive self-discipline that some felt was missing in his recreation and he seems like an indispensable determine.
Talking to Soccer Information, the midfielder has mentioned his new position and the way Van Dijk has helped preserve him in verify on the pitch.
“I’ve certainly began enjoying extra defensively. Final 12 months I went ahead extra typically, however now I’ve to assume extra defensively,” Gravenberch stated.
“That change occurred fairly rapidly. I’ve Virgil behind me to assist me. If I am going too far ahead, he calls me again. ‘Rio, keep right here!’.
“I discover that he has to shout much less and fewer typically and that I focus extra on defending. In assault, I attempt to learn the sport. That usually goes effectively.”
Gravenberch arrived at Liverpool to a comparatively lukewarm welcome in 2023, contemplating he struggled to impress at Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old was bullish in regards to the perception he has at all times had in himself, nevertheless, additionally mentioning a key dialog with Arne Slot in the summertime.
“The coach referred to as all of the gamers for an interview. After the European Championships he referred to as me to inform me how he noticed me.
“In fact, he knew me from my time at Ajax, when he was at AZ and Feyenoord. He informed me which place he wished to make use of me in, and he put me at six.
“I went into it with an open thoughts. I performed loads on eights and after I was youthful, I additionally performed on sixes. That helps, however now different issues are being requested.
“Once I was youthful, I used to be in a position to transfer ahead. Then there was no Virgil to name me again to the again.”
An indispensable determine for Liverpool
Again in the summertime, few would have predicted Gravenberch would take pleasure in such an excellent begin to the season.
The Dutchman felt like probably the most expendable of Liverpool’s midfielders, following a hit-and-miss first 12 months at Anfield.
On present kind, Gravenberch is likely one of the standout gamers in Europe in his place, producing the sort of high quality that has seen him in comparison with Jude Bellingham previously.
His pure means has by no means been doubtful, however his spell at Bayern raised some considerations about him failing to achieve his potential.
Gravenberch is shutting down that narrative emphatically beneath Slot, nevertheless, enjoying each minute within the Premier League this season and having a giant say in Liverpool topping the desk.
It’s now a case of acting at this stage for years reasonably than months, and changing into the world-class participant many have tipped him to be.
