Liverpool fans are loving Ryan Gravenberch’s dedication after the midfielder was rested for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Brighton.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been one of Liverpool‘s standout performers this season as the Reds sit second in the Premier League table with seven wins from a possible nine.
After completing his much-anticipated £34 million move from Bayern Munich last summer, Gravenberch made just 12 starts in his debut campaign under Jurgen Klopp, who used the Netherlands international as more of a box-to-box midfielder.
But the Netherlands international has become Liverpool’s first-choice No.6 under new manager Arne Slot.
Gravenberch recently opened up on the phone call that changed his Liverpool career. “After the Euros he [Slot] called me and said he wanted to give me a chance – then he said, ‘I want you to focus on the No 8 but I also want to see you in the No 6’,” Gravenberch said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“My reaction was really good… it doesn’t really matter where you play as long as you play.”
Gravenberch has made 12 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season and, after playing the full 90 minutes in their 2-2 draw against Arsenal, the midfielder was given a well-earned rest for Wednesday’s clash with Brighton.
Still, the midfielder watched their 3-2 win on his phone as he enjoyed a so-called ‘date night’ with partner Cindy Peroti, who posted a picture of Gravenberch alongside the caption: “Always, it doesn’t matter where he is.”
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to his dedication to the cause.
One wrote: “Gravenberch watching the game at a restaurant whilst on a date. Priorities,” and another said: “He has fallen in love with the sport again. Slot changed his life.”
A third commented: “Gravenberch watching Liverpool play on the phone while on a date is such a mood for real,” while a fourth added: “Love this.”
Image credit: Instagram/cindyperoti
Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Wolves last month, Arne Slot was full of praise for Gravenberch’s contribution this season.
“He’s just very comfortable on the ball and with (Alexis) Mac Allister as well, that helps the team if you want to have a possession-based style of play,” he said.
“You want to have the ball; you want to keep it as long as you can. It always helps if you have two players that are so comfortable on the ball in the holding midfielder position and the two of them can run as well.”