Ryan Gravenberch is on course to become the Netherlands most important player, thanks to the work Arne Slot has done with him at Liverpool.
That’s according to Dutch icon Ruud Gullit, who has sung the midfielder’s praises to De Telegraaf in his column for the paper today.
Gravenberch has been the undoubted surprise package at Liverpool so far this season, establishing himself as a key player in the team despite a rocky first year at the club last season.
He’s benefitted from the failure to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer transfer window, with Arne Slot instead turning to his fellow countryman to fill the number six role in midfield.
Gravenberch has taken to the new position like a duck to water, with a series of impressive performance so far proving crucial to Liverpool’s flying start in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Few had seen it coming for the midfielder, who had endured a difficult few years after leaving Ajax, where he was one of the rising stars, for Bayern Munich and then swapping Munich for Anfield in 2023.
He struggled to find a place under Klopp but is now a key man for Slot, something Gullit believes will end up happening for the national team too.
“For Slot, it is not a disadvantage at Liverpool that three Dutch players play an important role in the selection of the first team,” he said.
“With captain Virgil van Dijk in the lead. After a difficult period and criticism in the Netherlands and England, he has recovered well. Ryan Gravenberch is the revelation of the season. He fulfils his promise as a top talent from the Ajax academy.
“Bayern Munich, just like striker Joshua Zirkzee, came too fast and set too high a goal. After an adjustment period in Liverpool, Gravenberch’s qualities are coming into their own under Slot. He can become the most important man for the Dutch national team.
“Cody Gakpo is often decisive for the Dutch team with his goals. At Liverpool you see him getting better and more decisive every week. In the beginning it was up and down, then starting again, then reserve again, but increasingly Slot positions his team in such a way that he can make a starting place for Gakpo.
“Wondering where Arne Slot’s masterclass ends. In any case, Slot is busy paving the way for Dutch coaches abroad.”
