Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch have been told that Jurgen Klopp lacked faith in them - with Arne Slot's arrival rejuvenating their form this season. That's the opinion of ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who praised the Liverpool duo for impressing under the Dutchman and becoming integral to the club's title charge.

The Netherlands team-mates have played a starring role in the 2024/25 campaign, which sees the Reds atop the Premier League table and among the favourites to win the Champions League.

Their growth in becoming dependable and reliable players for Slot is quite the contrast to last season where both players struggled to stamp their mark on Klopp's starting XI. In what was Gravenberch's first season at Anfield, the midfielder started just 12 league games and played a bit-part role for much of the campaign.

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In case of Gakpo, the forward enjoyed a productive season with 16 goals across all competitions, but failed to gather momentum due to being played in numerous positions, including in midfield at the beginning of the season.

However, the pair's transformation this season - with Gravenberch starting every league game thus far and Gakpo already equalling last season's tally of 16 goals - is down to Slot's unwavering faith in his compatriot, says the former Australia international.

Speaking on the Seaman Says podcast, hosted by Arsenal icon David Seaman and brought to you by Betway, Schwarzer praised Liverpool's squad depth this season and claimed if Klopp remained in charge this season, the Reds wouldn't be at the summit of the Premier League.

"I think Liverpool's bench has worked incredibly well. Whoever it's been, whatever the rotation has been, whenever he's called upon his bench – OK, take the FA Cup game against Plymouth out of the equation – but every other game his bench has been incredible.

"And as much as I was a massive fan of Jurgen Klopp, I don't think Liverpool would be there where they are right now if Jurgen Klopp was in charge. Because they didn't bring one player in. He's used the same players. He's almost got like a whole new signing in his whole club. When a new manager comes in, everybody is different.

"You approach things different. The relationships are completely different. Now everybody has to prove themselves again. Now there's an element of, 'OK, new manager’s coming, new ideas. Now I've got to prove myself once again and I've got to earn my spot again.'"

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Schwarzer doubted whether the Netherlands duo would be showing the same form they are now if Klopp remained at the helm.

"I've been really impressed with the way that the players have improved individual, and the way that the manager has dealt with the pressure of coming in at Liverpool and taking over someone as huge as Jurgen Klopp, and didn't bring one single player into the club.

"Would Gravenberch be playing in midfield right now had Klopp still been there? I don't think so. Would Cody Gakpo have been as effective? I don't think so, just based on the evidence of the previous seasons because Jurgen Klopp didn't seem to have as much belief and faith in them as Arne Slot has."