One of the big positives of Liverpool’s start to the season has been the form of Ryan Gravenberch and their international manager Ronald Koeman appears to have changed his mind about the midfielder.
The 22-year-old was a highly-rated talent when he competed for Ajax in the Netherlands, but fell massively after completing a move to Bayern Munich in 2022. Things didn’t work out for the midfielder in Germany, which led to the creation of Dutch talent. the switch to Liverpool last summer.
Gravenberch did not start in his first season at Anfield, but following the arrival of Arne Slot at the Merseyside club, things have changed for the Netherlands international.
The former Ajax star has been operating in the number six position and has thrived so far this season, putting in a memorable display at the weekend as the midfielder ran the show at Old Trafford as Liverpool defeated at Man United by 3-0.
Gravemberch received plenty of praise after his display against the Manchester club and ahead of the Netherlands’ Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany over the next two weeks, Dutch manager Ronald Koeman shared his thoughts on the Liverpool star’s recent form.
Has Ronald Koeman changed his mind about Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch?
Koeman has had issues with Gravenberch in the past and briefly exiled the midfielder from the Netherlands national team last year before including the Liverpool star in his squad for the European Championships in Germany this summer.
The 22-year-old did not play a single minute at Euro 2024 but has been called up once again for the Netherlands’ Nations League games during the current international break.
The midfielder joins Holland in top form and during a press conference on Tuesday, Koeman was asked about Gravenberch’s start to the season under Slot.
“It can be a bit of confidence that he wins,” Koeman said via the Liverpool Echo. “It started before other internationals. Maybe the penny will drop now.
“We’ve always seen a lot of potential in Ryan. A lot of people, myself included, thought some of his focus, his laziness, could be improved.
“He seems to realize what is required of Liverpool’s midfield in the Premier League. If a player is given the confidence or the opportunity, then he can be the push in the right direction.”
The former Barcelona manager’s words seem to suggest that he has changed his mind about Gravenberch and that will be confirmed in the next two games in Holland, as it will be interesting to see how many minutes the 22-year-old plays.
