Shock Liverpool player impresses fans in Arne Slot’s first game at Anfield

Liverpool fans were pleasantly surprised by Ryan Gravenberch’s outstanding performance in their 4-1 pre-season victory over Sevilla, as the Dutch midfielder showcased his potential in a new role under manager Arne Slot. The match, Slot’s first at Anfield since taking charge, saw Gravenberch excel in a defensive midfield role, impressing fans with his ball-playing abilities and overall contribution to the game.

Liverpool fielded a strong lineup featuring stars like Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah, but it was Gravenberch who caught the eye. Fans took to social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to express their admiration for his display. One fan highlighted his performance by saying, “Gravenberch really impressing in the 6 yet again 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼,” while another commented on how well he has adapted to Slot’s system, stating, “Ryan Gravenberch has fit into this Arne Slot team like a glove, finally able to showcase his strength and ball-playing ability!”

Gravenberch, who joined Liverpool last summer, had struggled to secure a regular starting spot under former manager Jurgen Klopp. However, with Slot’s new tactical approach, the 22-year-old appears to be flourishing. His stats from the Sevilla match were particularly impressive: he completed 53 out of 56 passes, boasting a 95% success rate, won 60% of his ground duels, and created a significant goal-scoring opportunity. These contributions were pivotal to Liverpool’s dominant victory, which also saw goals from Diogo Jota, Trey Nyoni, and a brace from Luis Diaz.

Despite his excellent performance, there is speculation that Gravenberch’s starting position could be threatened if Liverpool succeeds in signing Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, a top transfer target for the club. However, with Wataru Endo seemingly out of favor, Gravenberch could still expect significant game time this season.

Liverpool will continue their pre-season preparations with another friendly against Las Palmas later today, where Gravenberch and others will have another opportunity to impress ahead of the new Premier League campaign.