
Liverpool's opponents used to man-mark Mo Salah – now they go for Ryan Gravenberch
Among his words of wisdom, Johan Cruyff once spoke about the double-edged sword of success.
'After you've won something, you're no longer 100 per cent, but 90 per cent,' he said.
'It's like a bottle of carbonated water where the cap is removed for a short while. Afterwards there's a little less gas inside.'
Liverpool 's Ryan Gravenberch could have been paraphrasing his illustrious compatriot when considering his club's next step after reaching the summit of Premier League champions.
'To arrive there is easier than to stay there,' he says.
It also sounds like a reassuring variation on the old boot-room quote attributed to the legendary Ronnie Moran: 'Winning the league for the first time is easy. Winning it again is the hard part.'
Liverpool realised this when they won the Premier League in 2020 as initial attempts to build on the success fell short.
But despite appearances as the players and staff took the notion of 'being on the beach' literally by partying in Ibiza and Dubai ahead of this weekend's trophy presentation and parade – Sunday's visit of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace could be dubbed El Intoxicatico – there is a sense of a club already advanced in their planning for the title defence with their transfer and tactical strategy.
Nobody embodies the evolution under Arne Slot more than Gravenberch, whose reinvention as a No 6 was the clearest point of separation from the Jürgen Klopp era.
As he reflected upon an exceptional 12 months, Gravenberch recognised the challenge of going from the hunters to being the hunted, and thinks the club have a trump card in their endeavour to defend the title.
The average age of Liverpool's regular midfield starters is under 25, meaning the most consistent central trio of this season has the capacity to get better and dominate for years.
'Oh, yeah, yeah. Hopefully,' he says. 'This is the first season that we did a good job. Hopefully, we can win more trophies together.
'We can improve in our playing style. Maybe [we were] a little bit too static at times. In the midfield we can change. For example, if I play with Alexis Mac Allister he can come into my position and I can go higher. Then it would be difficult to press us. That's one part we can improve on.'
The 23-year-old has already noted their rivals' response. It was once said the best way to stop Liverpool is by man-marking Mohamed Salah. Since January, opposition coaches have been trying to nullify Gravenberch, freeing Mac Allister, especially, to be more influential.
So, although the Dutchman has had fewer touches and successful passes per game in the second half of the season, he sees that trend as a compliment and a conundrum to solve.
'That was exactly the thing. Everything was also new for the opponents. Afterwards they knew how we played and then we had to try to find solutions,' he says.
'In the first half of the season everything went a little bit through me. After, for example, they target me but then the other midfielders become free so then pass to them and then to me. It was a little bit difficult also for me because you don't then get the ball as much as other team-mates [who] get it instead.
'I can improve in terms of goals and assists from that position. Also in terms of demanding the ball more during a game. Sometimes in a game there's like five minutes where I don't touch the ball. In that position you have to make the play happen.
'The defensive part was maybe where there was a question mark [when given the No 6 role]. The attacking part was good, but the defending part I had to learn in terms of the duels, sometimes not watching my man properly, but I think I made a lot of steps with that.'
Goals for the future
On the subject of attacking contributions, Gravenberch – who has not yet scored this season – is aiming to correct that in the final Premier League fixture.
'Yes, I know, I know,' he smiles. 'I had a conversation with Dominik [Szoboszlai] the other day before we played against Brighton. We were in the warm-up and I had some good finishes. He said: 'I have a feeling you will score today.' I said: 'Hopefully.' So hopefully against Crystal Palace I can.
'It's just the position [I play], because if the other two midfielders go, I can't. So I'm not often in the 18-yard box, but maybe against Crystal Palace. We will see.'
Having been uncertain of his best role, Gravenberch says he is now settled as being a No 6 for the rest of his career.
'I didn't play a lot in that position before but this season that position has made me who I am now. I am really looking forward to playing there now,' he says.
Fitness tips from compatriot Virgil van Dijk have improved his recovery and stamina, while Liverpool's sports science team including Dr Jon Power and Conall Murtagh have been credited for ensuring so many of Slot's first picks were ever present.
'Last season I didn't play a lot so I didn't recover really well. Maybe I wasn't really that professional about it,' admits Gravenberch.
'This season I've focused more on recovery; going to the sauna, to the ice baths. Virgil was a big part of that in terms of giving me advice. Just recover well, sleep good, eat good, those kind of things. To be honest it was really tough playing every single minute.'
What began with a pre-season phone call in which Slot invited Gravenberch to give the position a try has transformed the Dutchman into a key man for Liverpool, earning favourable comparisons with Toni Kroos and Patrick Vieira, and the favourite to be named the Premier League's young player of the season.
Gravenberch is conducting this interview having just unveiled a football pitch bearing his name, a Cruyff Court donation at the Anfield Community Centre courtesy of the Cruyff Foundation.
'If you had said this to me before the start of the season I wouldn't have believed you,' says Gravenberch. 'But everything we dreamed of came true.'
Liverpool may be bathed in red as the title celebrations are ramped up over the next few days, but they owe a debt to the brilliant orange of their Dutch masters.
'Everyone in Holland, if they look to England, supports Liverpool because of us,' says Gravenberch.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
🎧 Manning's first day at the office
It's certainly been quite a day at Carrow to enjoy Liam Manning's first interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, which you can find can also watch his first press conference back by clicking what better way to end such a momentous day than by listening to the latest edition of the Canaries' podcast, The Scrimmage, from BBC Radio Norfolk?The team catch up with Manning and sporting director Ben to The Scrimmage podcast on BBC Sounds.


The Independent
31 minutes ago
- The Independent
Jude Bellingham misses England training due to funeral but could face Senegal
Jude Bellingham missed training on Monday due to a family funeral but will be available for England's season-ending friendly against Senegal. The 21-year-old started Saturday's snoozefest in Barcelona as Thomas Tuchel's side continued their winning start to World Cup qualification with a 1-0 triumph against minnows Andorra. England round off the campaign with Tuesday's friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham, where Bellingham is ready to feature despite sitting out training due to a personal matter. The Football Association said: '24 players are out training at St. George's Park this afternoon. Jude Bellingham is absent to attend a family funeral and will return to camp later today.' Ollie Watkins withdrew from the camp on Friday due to a minor injury, with Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher left out of the 23-man squad for Andorra.


Scottish Sun
32 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Michail Antonio set to quit West Ham after horror car crash despite being offered new contract amid ‘unique' situation
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAIL ANTONIO is heading towards the exit door at West Ham despite being offered a new deal. The Hammers striker, 35, has not played since his horror crash in December, which required surgery on a broken leg. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Michail Antonio is set to leave West Ham this summer Credit: PA Antonio's current deal at the London Stadium expires on June 30 and the club announced today that terms on a new deal are yet to be agreed. The Jamaica international has been offered a short-term deal with a far lower base salary than his current £90,000-a-week contract. Significant bonuses are included for any appearances Antonio would make next season. However, West Ham's all-time top Premier League goalscorer is seeking a higher base salary offer and is holding out for offers from elsewhere. The club have done all they can to support his recovery, but will not be improving upon their offer and have indicated they would be pleased for Antonio should he secure better terms from another club. Spending money is tight at the London Stadium this summer and there is a focus on bringing the average age of Graham Potter's squad down. Antonio, who is confident he will be able to play again, had urged Potter to include him in a Premier League squad towards the end of the season but it was thought too big of a risk. The striker is now hoping to make his first appearance since the December car crash with Jamaica at this summer's Gold Cup, which starts next week. Impressive performances with Jamaica could spark interest from other clubs, which is limited at this stage. Antonio has already branched out to prepare for life after football, working with the BBC's Morning Live and as a pundit for TNT Sports during their coverage of the Conference League final. 'I almost wasn't there for my kids' – Michail Antonio 'happy' to have 'another chance at life' after horror car crash 4 Antonio shared some footage of his recovery on social media Credit: instagram/@michailantonio 4 The striker is pushing to make a return following his car crash Credit: instagram/@michailantonio Announcing their retained list, the Hammers said in a statement: "Given Michail Antonio's unique situation, following his serious road traffic accident in December 2024, there will be no formal decision and announcement on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate. "However, as his current contract is also due to expire on 30 June, for the purposes of the Premier League Retained List procedure at the end of the 2024/25 season, Michail will be listed as a free transfer. "As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the club's absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level." Former West Ham captain Kurt Zouma, who spent last season on loan at Saudi Pro League club Al-Orobah FC, will also formally depart with his contract ending this month. Danny Ings, Aaron Creswell, Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski had already been confirmed as leaving at the end of their deals this summer.