Ryan Gravenberch is now 50% better than he was at Ajax, thanks to the special work that Jurgen Klopp did with him last season.
That’s according to the player’s own father, who has heaped praise on the departed Liverpool manager for his son’s development.
ESPN have an interview with Gravenberch senior today discussing his son’s move to Liverpool last summer and how there are no concerns following his first year at Anfield.
Gravenberch joined Liverpool in a €40m deal from Bayern Munich after a frustrating year at the Allianz Arena following an €18.5m move from Ajax.
He had established himself as one of the rising stars in Europe at the Dutch giants, impressing in the team that shone in the Champions League under Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman was unable to replicate that in Germany but has bounced back on Merseyside, making 38 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool.
He wasn’t a regular under Klopp by any means, only featuring in 36% of the available minutes in the Premier League and 39% of the minutes in the Europa League.
That had raised some eyebrows, but his father insists there are no concerns and praised Klopp for the work he did with his son.
“Jurgen Klopp had more feeling and personal interest than Nagelsmann and Tuchel combined,” he said.
“That immediately gave Ryan a very good feeling in the first conversations. Despite the extremely busy schedule and all the things Klopp has to take into account in his work, he continued to invest a lot of time and personal interest in Ryan.
“Klopp has been very good to Ryan. He was helpful and nice, but on the other hand he could also be tough, and he sometimes put Ryan on the bench in important matches. That’s right, he plays in the world top.
“I think he is at least 50% better now than he was then. He has become even stronger and fitter. The pace at which Liverpool plays is really not normal. Everything goes much faster and that has done him very well. Ryan always has to give something extra at Liverpool and that has made him a much better player.”
Unfortunately for Gravenberch, Klopp has now departed, having decided to bring his time at Liverpool to an end a year before the end of his contract, citing tiredness.
His replacement has already been secured, with Liverpool moving quickly to hire Arne Slot from Feyenoord.
He arrives at Anfield with a big reputation following his work in the Netherlands, where he led Feyenoord to the title last season and the Dutch cup this year.
It’s believed he will be undertaking something of an overhaul of the playing squad he is inheriting from Klopp and Gravenberch senior believes that could end up benefitting his son.
“I don’t think he has spoken to Slot yet, but Ryan is happy that he is coming,” he added,
“Although he loved playing under Klopp, Slot’s playing style suits Ryan a little better. Slot plays more like Manchester City and Arsenal. Under Klopp, Liverpool played more directly. Slot’s game suits Ryan better from Ajax’s training.”
