“He’s Surprised Everyone” – Ryan Babel On Arne Slot’s Impact At Liverpool & Ryan Gravenberch | OneFootball

By Luke Pugh

Arne Slot’s impressive start at Liverpool has been credited to his decision to avoid the pitfalls that have troubled many of his Dutch predecessors, says former Reds winger Ryan Babel when speaking with Beste Online Casino Nederland 2025.

Slot’s debut season in the Premier League has seen him make a swift and positive impact at Anfield, surprising many with his tactical flexibility and pragmatic approach. Babel, speaking about the Dutch manager’s unique path, explained that Slot learned from the mistakes of fellow Dutch coaches like Erik ten Hag, Frank de Boer, and Louis van Gaal.

“I think he’s surprised everyone. In my opinion, he did it differently from a lot of Dutch managers,” said Babel. “Usually, Dutch managers, when they go abroad, bring in new signings and players whom they know, usually all from the Eredivisie… He was like, ‘Okay, why are Dutch managers not so successful?’ — because of certain habits that they have.”

By resisting the temptation to overhaul Liverpool’s squad with familiar faces from the Dutch league, Slot has instead focused on enhancing the strengths of the current team and tailoring his style to the demands of English football.

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Another sign of Slot’s smart management has been the continued growth of young midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who struggled initially under Jurgen Klopp but has become a key player under the new regime.

“I’m happy Gravenberch was able to get his chance and grab it,” Babel said. “Under Klopp, maybe he needed a little more time. But I believe he showed what he can do this season, and it can only be better from here.”

Slot’s early success suggests that his adaptive approach, rather than dogmatic adherence to Dutch footballing philosophy, is the key to a brighter era at Anfield.

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