Ryan Gravenberch reveals how Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit from Liverpool has changed his midfield role, hails Florian Wirtz

Ryan Gravenberch, in conversation with TNT Sports, has revealed how Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit from Liverpool has changed his midfield role at the club. Liverpool welcomed Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez over the summer, who have brought different approaches to the full-back position. Gravenberch also opened up on witnessing the continuing evolution of Florian Wirtz at the club.

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has opened up on the tactical changes brought about by the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold from the club.

The right-back, who left for Real Madrid in the summer, redefined the role during his time at Liverpool, often operating from deeper or inside to provide assists and defence-splitting passes.

Since his departure, it's been all change in the full-back position this season, with Jeremie Frimpong brought in on the right-hand side, and Milos Kerkez signed from Bournemouth on the left to provide competition with Andy Robertson.

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The pair have brought a new flavour to the position, with Gravenberch opening up on how it has impacted his deeper-lying midfield role.

"Obviously they [the new full-backs] are different kind of players," the Dutchman told TNT Sports.

"For example, last season Trent was most of the time lower [deeper], and now Jeremie is higher. And with Milos and Robbo [Robertson], they both like to go [forward].

Highlights: Wirtz shines as Liverpool claim crucial win against Newcastle

Video credit: TNT Sports

"So, maybe last season for myself, because Trent was there, sometimes I could maybe go between the lines higher up.

"Now for example, Jeremie is out wide, I have to stay more back. Maybe that is the part that's most changed."

If we look at Gravenberch's touch maps from this season so far compared to last, the data would appear to bear out his point.

Last season his reddest zone is beyond halfway...

... while this season you can see how much more often he is dropping into the right-back zone.

Szoboszlai proving key

Frimpong's start to life at Liverpool was disrupted by hamstring trouble, and just after stringing a run of games together in the last month, he has suffered another issue - this time with his groin - that will keep him out for a few weeks.

It meant he missed Liverpool's convincing win over Newcastle United on Saturday night, with Dominik Szoboszlai filling in at right-back.

With the Hungarian normally a midfielder, it was noticeable to see him filtering inside against The Toon, especially in the second half, providing the sort of deeper-lying creative presence previously seen with Alexander-Arnold.

And in a nod to his influence on the game, Szoboszlai ended it with some impressive stats to his name.

		Rank (both sides)
Touches	81	1st
Accurate passes	49	1st
Final 3rd entries	11	=1st
Passes into final 3rd	18	2nd

With Liverpool appearing nicely balanced against Eddie Howe's side, it gives Arne Slot some pleasant headaches over the coming weeks in terms of the combinations he fields at full-back and in midfield.

'Special' Wirtz beginning to shine

Part of this equation also involves the improving Florian Wirtz, who shone again against Newcastle.

The German midfielder looks increasingly at home as Liverpool's attacking fulcrum, and he sealed his performance with a fine goal, a cute finish from Mohamed Salah's assist.

'A clinical finish' - Wirtz caps impressive performance with a goal

Video credit: TNT Sports

Gravenberch has been among those to revel in his team-mate's evolution.

"You see the quality he has," the Dutchman said of his fellow midfielder.

"He needed a bit of time to adapt. But to see now the quality he has and what he does, scoring goals, giving assists, give opportunities to other players to make them score.

"It's really nice to have him here. He's just a special player. You can give him the ball and he makes something happen. I don't think a lot of midfielders have that."

Gravenberch added: "Since he came in, we have a good relationship with each other, obviously we are both young.

"We get along with each other, talk a lot with each other [off the pitch], and on the pitch it's the same thing.

"When I've got the ball, I try to look for him where I can, and it's nice to work with him."

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