Ryan Gravenberch has admitted he is much happier at Liverpool under Arne Slot this season. The Dutchman joined the Reds from Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to £40m in the summer of 2023 but endured an inconsistent first season at Anfield.
The 22-year-old made 38 appearances during his maiden campaign with Liverpool, but only 21 of them came from the start while he started just 12 times in the Premier League.
However, he has established himself as one of Slot’s key players this season, starting all 40 of his appearances and remaining an ever-present in the English top-flight.
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Gravenberch has made the most of his opportunity under his compatriot, cementing his place at number six after Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to the Reds last summer.
And the midfielder has admitted he has now achieved two of the goals he set himself at the start of the season after conceding he is happier at Anfield this season.
"There were a couple of changes," he said, when reflecting on his improved fortunes under Slot. "In position and in minutes - almost everything. I'm really happy that I'm here now.
"I'm feeling good. I set a few goals for myself that I wanted to achieve this season and one of the goals was playing more and becoming a starting XI player for Liverpool. I'm really happy that it is [the case] now."
Gravenberch did actually start under Klopp in last year’s League Cup final as Liverpool won 1-0 against Chelsea AET. However, he was forced off through injury in the first half.
The midfielder has revealed he wanted to play on only to be overruled by the club’s medical staff as he reflected on his mixed emotions last year, as he looked forward to the Reds’ return to Wembley in this year’s final against Newcastle United this weekend.
"How do they call it? Anfield South?” Gravenberch asked club media. “It's really nice to go there again.
"I had a cut through my ankle [during the 2024 final]. I was in so much pain. I wanted to go further, but in the end the doc said no.
"Of course [it was a disappointment]. Especially because it was my first game at Wembley as well [and] my first final. To go out after 28 minutes was really disappointing for myself.
"I went in and after I put some ice on my ankle I went out to support the boys, I was really happy. I enjoyed that moment a lot. It was really nice."
