Ryan Gravenberch exclusive: Midfielder credits Arne Slot for form at Liverpool - 'Gave me confidence when I needed it'

React to this story

Ryan Gravenberch has broken out as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League in the early part of the season, with Liverpool flying at the top of the table under the guidance of new manager Arne Slot. They can make it six UEFA Champions League victories in a row when they take on Girona in Spain on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

‘Coach gave me confidence when I needed it’ – Gravenberch credits Slot for impressive form

Video credit: TNT Sports

In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Ryan Gravenberch has credited his stellar form this season to new Liverpool manager Arne Slot giving him the confidence he needed.

The 22-year-old has gone from having multiple roles under Jurgen Klopp, to shining as a defensive pivot under Slot, with the Reds flying at the top of both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League tables.

Since the departure of Fabinho, Liverpool have been without a consistent anchorman and an aborted move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer opened the door for Gravenberch to make the role his own.

Transfers

Slot emerges as leading candidate for national team job - Euro Transfer News

06/07/2026 at 17:05

The Dutchman said that his newfound confidence in the role is thanks to his compatriot and new coach.

"Now I play a lot of games as a starter, so it’s a little bit different. The coach gave me confidence when I needed it and I'm happy that I can show myself again," Gravenberch told TNT Sports.

"Just the run of games, you really need it to be honest," he added.

"Sometimes it's really hard. For example, if you're on the bench and the next game you play good, the next game you're on the bench, then you come in for 10 minutes, then the 10 minutes are not really going how you want it.

"Then the next game you’re on the bench again, so that’s difficult.

"So yeah, just the run of games - that gives you the confidence if you’re doing good on the pitch.

"I'm happy that I'm playing. To be on the pitch again for 90 minutes and I can show off myself."

It was in fact against Liverpool that Gravenberch made his Champions League debut, starting against the then-reigning Premier League champions in a 1-0 defeat for Erik ten Hag's Ajax side.

Five years later, after an unsuccessful spell at Bayern Munich and a mixed first season under Klopp, the midfielder will star as the pivotal man in Liverpool's midfield in Europe's finest competition.

"It means a lot. When you play in the Champions League you hear the sounds in your head," laughed the midfielder.

"It's obviously nice to play at this high level against these teams, and I really love to be here."

Liverpool are in a strong position in the Champions League after winning all five of their games, the most recent being a 2-0 win over reigning champions Real Madrid. It was the first time they had beaten the Spanish giants since 2009, having lost to them in two European finals in recent history.

Winning all five of their games against AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid respectively, the Reds have racked up 15 points, with 12 goals scored and one goal conceded. Liverpool are the first team to qualify for the latter stages of the Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold and Robertson discuss emotional Klopp farewell, Slot’s ‘mind-blowing’ tactics

Video credit: TNT Sports

Girona are having to adapt to life in the Champions League, and Gravenberch is wary they could spring a surprise.

"They have a good team, they really like to play out from the back and they have really good players, so we have to be prepared for that. I think we are, and we have to show tomorrow that we can fight them," he said.

"We know what we ask from each other, all the energy in pressing and in the build-up, deep runs and everything. We want to show that we can work harder than the opponent.

"We are in a good position, but it's still really early, so we have to [approach it] game-by-game, and we will see at the end of the season."

How to watch UEFA Champions League on TNT Sports and discovery+

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder Tool.

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

World Cup

Which Premier League players will be at the World Cup?

29/06/2026 at 10:15

Premier League

Liverpool appoint Iraola as Slot's replacement

04/06/2026 at 19:58

Related Matches

Girona FC

Liverpool