Arne Slot Explains his Genius Ryan Gravenberch Decision after Liverpool Win the Premier League Title | OneFootball

Ryan Gravenberch’s Midfield Metamorphosis Under Arne Slot at Liverpool

When Arne Slot stepped into the Liverpool dugout following Jürgen Klopp’s emotional farewell in May 2024, he inherited not only a legacy but also a squad in flux. Fast forward to the end of his debut Premier League campaign, and Liverpool are champions again — with a familiar energy, but underpinned by new ideas. Among Slot’s boldest innovations was his reimagining of Ryan Gravenberch.

The Dutch midfielder, previously used in more advanced or box-to-box roles, has been deployed at the base of Liverpool’s midfield three — a shift that raised eyebrows initially but ultimately turned out to be one of the defining tactical successes of the season.

Gravenberch didn’t just adapt to the No.6 role; he thrived in it, becoming a near ever-present in the title run. From the opening day through to the decisive win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, he offered a blend of composure, physicality, and defensive nous that elevated Liverpool’s midfield structure.

Photo: IMAGO

How Mac Allister Helped Shape the Decision

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arne Slot offered rare insight into the genesis of this tactical tweak. The plan, interestingly, began with a conversation — not just with Gravenberch, but with Alexis Mac Allister.

“I spoke to most of the players, maybe to all of them, in their summer break,” said Slot.“And one of the things Alexis said to me – and I also felt the same about it – is that he has no problem playing as a No.6, he did quite well the season before, but he prefers to play with a No.6 behind him. And I think that gets the best out of him. That’s also why we were interested in signing a No.6.”

Rather than shop externally, Slot looked within — and found a solution in Gravenberch. It’s a reminder that sometimes the answers lie not in recruitment, but in realigning what you already have.

Why Gravenberch Fits the Role

What makes Ryan Gravenberch such a compelling option at the base of midfield isn’t just his natural ability on the ball — though that is evident. It’s his poise under pressure and strength in physical duels that Slot found particularly eye-catching.

“Ryan came back one or two days earlier and that way he could play the Manchester United game [in the USA] in that position and I immediately liked it because he was so comfortable on the ball,” Slot explained.“If you watch this game back, there is one moment where we played the ball towards him and there was someone who tried to press him and he just used his body, and the player that pressed him didn’t see him back for a few seconds. I immediately felt that would be a good asset to have.”

Photo: IMAGO

The numbers support Slot’s assessment. Gravenberch’s interception stats are among the best in the league for a defensive midfielder — but Slot was quick to credit the team as a whole.“That’s also a team dynamic, because if the front three don’t work enough, it’s hard for a No.6 to win the ball back,” he noted.

Room for Growth — and Comparisons to Van Dijk

Despite his success, there’s still room for refinement in Gravenberch’s game. Slot believes he can be more incisive in progressing the ball quickly and finding attacking teammates between the lines.

“Maybe what he could add to his game is maybe one- or two-touch play and find even more players in between the lines. Maybe he can take Virgil [van Dijk] as an example because Virgil is, for me, our best player in that part, finding players in between the lines.”

The comparison to Van Dijk is no small compliment. It points not only to Gravenberch’s potential but also to the trust and expectation that Slot places in him.

What’s clear is that under Arne Slot, Liverpool are no longer merely preserving what Klopp built — they are evolving it. Gravenberch’s transformation is symbolic of this new era: bold, intelligent, and quietly effective.

As Liverpool look to build on their title triumph, the Dutch midfielder may well be the lynchpin in Slot’s long-term project at Anfield.