Jurgen Klopp has kickstarted my son's career at Liverpool - but Arne Slot could be even better

Ryan Gravenberch is ‘at least 50 percent better’ than he was at Ajax according to the player’s father, but he is convinced the best is still to come.

The Netherlands international joined Liverpool in a £40m deadline day deal from Bayern Munich last summer, having struggled for game-time in Germany. And while he still endured mixed fortunes in his first season on Merseyside, he finished the year having started 21 of his 38 appearances, returned four goals and two assists, and won the League Cup.

Gravenberch's form saw him rewarded with a place in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, having been overlooked since withdrawing from Under-21s duty following his move to Liverpool last September.

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Reflecting on his son’s first season with the Reds, Ryan Gravenberch senior believes the midfielder has become a better player and benefitted from working alongside Jurgen Klopp.

And while the German left Liverpool at the end of the season, Gravenberch Sr is convinced incoming head coach Arne Slot will be an even better fit for the 22-year-old.

“Jurgen Klopp had more feeling and personal interest than Nagelsmann and Tuchel combined,” he told ESPN. “That immediately gave Ryan a very good feeling in the first conversations.

“Klopp knew that Ryan had not had an easy time at Bayern. He understands that he has to put a young boy abroad at ease. 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.

“Ryan and Klopp have had a lot of conversations. They've done that all season. That may sound logical, but it really doesn't work that way at many clubs and trainers.

"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.

“Of course he was not always in the starting line-up and he did not play many full matches, but that is also difficult when you come from a season with little playing time at Bayern. He's holding up well. For a 22-year-old boy, his development is going well.”

He continued: “I don't think he has spoken to Slot yet, but Ryan is happy that he is coming. 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.

“I think he is at least 50 percent 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.”

Meanwhile, Gravenberch Sr stands by his son’s decision to withdraw from Netherlands’ Under-21s duty last year, even though it irked the Dutch management at the time. But he insists the matter is now resolved as he prepares to cheer on his son at this summer’s European Championships in Germany - even if it has meant he has had to cancel a family holiday.

“We still support that,” he said. “He was brought in by Bayern with an eye to the future and they saw his qualities. Bayern still had a lot of confidence in him and that is why they sold their skin very expensively.

“Fortunately, everything turned out well on the last day. Everything was finalised on deadline day and Ryan took that step.

“What people don't know is that a lot of practical matters still have to be arranged afterwards. That was very hectic and a lot of hassle.

"Because he moved outside the EU, Ryan had to be present for many of those practical things himself. You have to take the time for that, so that you can start well at Liverpool.

“At that moment it was the best choice to join the Dutch Juniors, to cancel. He has explained his story and also understands the KNVB's position. It has been pronounced and has not been an issue for a long time now.”

He continued: “Ryan texted us (that he had made the final Netherlands squad), but told us to keep it quiet. We were very happy.

“Not much later it became public knowledge. Then my phone blew up. They were all nice messages. Suddenly I heard something again from people I had not spoken to for years, but that is of course part of it. We let it wash over us.

“We are a very realistic family and are especially proud of Ryan. We actually had another holiday planned, but we had consciously booked everything with reservations. That's why we were fortunately able to avoid it. My wife is good at that, so we always leave that to her.

“If he comes in, he only has to look at the stands and he will see us. That gives him the strength to show the best of himself. We support him and above all tell him to do his thing.”