Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has credited new head coach Arne Slot for a vital ‘confidence’ boost at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

With Liverpool second in the Premier League to Manchester City only by goals scored, Gravenberch has played every minute of their three games so far. That is a significant turnaround from last season under Jurgen Klopp when he was in and out of the team and started only 12 league games.

The Reds paid around £34m to sign Gravenberch from Bayern Munich on deadline day last summer. The move at the very end of the window came over as slightly panicked at the last and, barring a handful of Europa League group stage performances, the Dutchman struggled to establish himself.

But Slot has started a fresh chapter and Gravenberch is suddenly thriving in a midfield trio alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

“Of course things are going well, but I’m still myself. I’m just comfortable in my own skin,” the player said, via ESPN NL, having reported for international duty.

Pushed if Slot, specifically, has played a part in that feeling, Gravenberch replied: “He is a good coach, has a clear plan. And he gives me confidence.”

Following Sunday’s win over Manchester United, goalkeeper Alisson praised the impact of Slot, who has so far risen to the challenge of replacing a legend of the club.

“I love Jurgen Klopp. I will love him for the rest of my life, he knows that. But the determination, the quality of our [new] manager and the way he works…he demands from the team,” Alisson said.

Liverpool will be confident of taking maximum points when Premier League football resumes later this month, with consecutive home games against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. But the challenge for the Reds then is juggling multiple competitions, with an away game against AC Milan in the Champions League sandwiched between and the Carabao Cup also coming on the calendar.

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