Arne Slot has improved many things at Liverpool since his arrival.
The Dutch coach has slowed down Liverpool’s style of play following the departure of Jurgen Klopp whose heavy metal football brought the Reds a lot of success but would tire his team out towards the end of a campaign.
Slot currently has Liverpool top of the Premier League and the Merseyside club can go nine points clear of Arsenal with a win over Everton on Wednesday night.
Jamie Carragher thinks Slot has improved many players at Liverpool with Cody Gakpo certainly being one of them as the Dutch star continues to shine this season on the left of the Reds front three.
Gakpo has just been crowned Liverpool’s Player of the Month for January and the Netherlands international recognises that he is not the only one who has improved at Anfield throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Cody Gakpo proud of Ryan Gravenberch’s improvement at Liverpool
Liverpool signed Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich during the summer of 2023 but the Dutch star failed to make an impact at Anfield under Klopp.
That has changed with the arrival of Slot as the former Feyenoord boss has trusted the midfielder in the number six role in his team and it has resulted in the 22-year-old playing in every Premier League match for the Reds this season.
Slot recently admitted to Gary Lineker that he has been impressed with Gravenberch’s displays during the current campaign and the Dutch coach is not the only one happy with how the former Ajax star’s season is playing out.
Speaking to Liverpool.com about Gravenberch, Gakpo has admitted that his countrymen has evolved since his Ajax days having been asked if he is surprised by how well the midfielder has adapted to his new role at Anfield.
“No, I think I said it a few times already. I think the Dutch people already knew him from his time at Ajax and knew how good he can be,” Gakpo stated.
“Obviously he evolved and he is much better than he was back then, but we already saw the quality he has and I am very happy for him that he can show it now in every game again. Like I said, he is doing amazing so I am very proud of him.”
How Ryan Gravenberch has improved at Liverpool
The biggest difference between Gravenberch under Slot and under Klopp is the Dutch star’s change of position.
Danny Murphy described this change Slot has made with Gravenberch as a masterclass following a recent performance against Ipswich Town as the 22-year-old starred against the Tractor Boys.
The consistency in which the Dutch star is being played has also been a key factor as the former Ajax star has developed a full understanding of the role, which was not afforded to him by Klopp.
Gravenberch has featured in every Premer League match for Liverpool this season, whereas under Klopp the midfielder was in and out of the team, with a lot of his minutes coming from substitute appearances.
The Netherlands international’s improvement has played a key role in Liverpool’s success this season and if it was not for Mohamed Salah, the Dutch star would be the main contender for Player of the Season.