Ryan Gravenberch’s transition to the Premier League was shaped by his big brother’s tough love on the streets.
Now, Liverpool’s transformed No. 6 is thriving under the guidance of new manager and compatriot Arne Slot. It was during his post-Euros holiday when Slot rang up Gravenberch to discuss a change in his role from what he was used to under Jurgen Klopp.
“My first reaction was really good because as a player it doesn’t really matter where you play as long as you can play,” the 22-year-old midfielder told Mirror Football. “When I played at Ajax I also played this role, not a lot, so I knew a little bit of what I had to do.”
He recalled his time at Ajax, where he had some experience in this position, so he wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with what was expected of him. Gravenberch joined Liverpool in the summer of 2023 after a stint at Bayern Munich where game time was hard to come by. Last season saw him start only 12 Premier League games for the Reds, with additional appearances off the bench.
This season, under Slot’s management, he’s already close to matching that number of starts. “I think with this manager it is a bit more about good positioning, being able to kill the opponents with passes and play out from the back,” said Gravenberch.
The shift from an No. 8 to a deep-lying playmaker has been smooth, and the real test looms as Chelsea, in top form, are set to visit Anfield. Yet, the statistics suggest Gravenberch is more than ready for the challenge. He’s not just a wall in defence but also excels in transitioning the ball, carving open defenses with pivotal passes. It’s telling that three gallops from his own turf have resulted in goals – a stat no other midfielder in the league can boast.
Even under duress, his passing is pin-point, allowing Slot’s squad to evade presses and his lung-bursting runs present a threat too. The Dutch dynamo leads with 69 recoveries every 90 minutes – leaving today’s rival Moises Caicedo trailing with 54, his agents at Raiola group point out.
Settling into the Premier League rhythms, he credits those backyard battles with his big brother Danzell, former FC Den Bosch frontman, for honing his resilience after watching him at Ajax and emulating him in street football clashes.
“When I was younger I just watched him play and when we were a bit older I would go with him to play on the streets and he’s a big boy so it was difficult for me,” he said. “He toughened me up and I became stronger and he did everything for me.”
At the ripe age of 22, Gravenberch’s resume already impresses, thanks partly to those early trials. Snatching Clarence Seedorf’s title as Ajax’s young gun at 16 years and 130 days signals his talent. Idolising the likes of Dutch master Seedorf, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and street-hero Zinedine Zidane, it’s clear his playbook is influenced by global legends.
“Obviously when you’re a kid on the streets you want to be like him and what he achieved, you want to achieve as well,” Gravenberch stated, expressing his admiration for Liverpool’s rising star who now has the opportunity to claim top honors just like his footballing heroes Zidane and Seedorf.