Arne Slot's astonishing ERROR could have CHANGED Liverpool's entire season | OneFootball

Ryan Gravenberch has perhaps been the story of the season so far for Liverpool.

With Liverpool sitting top of the Premier League table, through to the next round of the League Cup and with two victories in two games in the Champions League, spirits are soaring at Anfield.

Gravenberch has been central to the performance of the side so far this season, moving back to a defensive midfield role that it seems he was born to play. After a lost first season on Merseyside in which he didn’t make much of an impression at all it has been heartening to see.

Read more: Arne Slot needed just 90 MINUTES to see Jurgen Klopp was RIGHT

How Arne Slot's initial Ryan Gravenberch error has changed Liverpool's season

In an interview with Liverpool’s official website, the Dutchman said of moving back in the midfield, ‘It came quite naturally. When I first spoke with the coach he said to me, 'I see you as a No.8 like last season, but I want to try you as a No.6 as well.'... Now he sees me as a No.6! It goes really well. We'll have to see. Hopefully my aim is to be consistent every game.”

The implications that new head coach Arne Slot initially saw Gravenberch as a more traditional box-to-box midfielder is astonishing if we are looking back at those quotes now with hindsight.

Alexis Mac Allister currently holds that role and has also seen progression this season, becoming a much more aggressive tackler and allowing for more exploitation of turnovers supported by Gravenberch behind.

Gravenberch admitted to being surprised at how well he’s playing himself. “Yeah, because to be honest as an eight you are more attacking and not a lot of defending” he replied, “But the defending part I do also really well, so I impress myself a little bit.”

“Back in the days when I played with Ajax in the youth [team] I didn't like to defend! I didn't like that much. But now when you take off the ball from another player it's like, 'Yes, I have it!' I want to take the next one and the next one again. I enjoy it.”

Gravenberch’s dispossession is such an important part of his progression this season. He now averages 3.86 tackles & interceptions per-90, his highest in three years. As a result, Arne Slot is able to implement a system where forcing high turnovers can be exploited.

Long may these performances continue. If Liverpool are going to succeed this season, Gravenberch will be central to it.

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