Liverpool's Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch gives a press conference
Ryan Gravenberch has excelled at Liverpool this season
Ryan Gravenberch beamed with a smile when comparisons with Toni Kroos were mentioned to him.
It came from some of the Spanish press in the aftermath of his superb display against Real Madrid last time out in the Champions League. His manager Arne Slot laughed it off when asked about it following the 2-0 win at Anfield which put Liverpool back on top of their Champions League group.
Slot’s retort was that he is Dutch and not German. But Gravenberch did enjoy being compared to the Real Madrid star. “It is nice to hear that, of course, because Toni Kroos is a legend of the game, he did a lot of good things, so it is nice to hear,” said the Liverpool midfielder.
It came perhaps as Gravenberch has evolved into a starring No.6 in Slot’s team. Not quite Kroos level but still impressive in helping the Reds to the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.
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Gravenberch is still learning the position after a move deeper from the No.8 position. “Of course I think everyone can still adjust or improve, so can I, so for me, maybe I can do a bit more in the defending,” said the Dutch midfielder.
“But I am really happy with the performance I have so far so I just have to keep going.” Gravenberch has almost been an ever present for every minute so far under Slot in the Premier League and Champions League.
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid
Gravenberch's form for Liverpool has earned him comparisons with ex-Real Madrid icon Toni Kroos
The Dutch international was substituted for the first time against Newcastle in the Reds’ last outing as he was on a yellow card with 23 minutes to go. But in a time when some of the games’ top stars are calling for less football, Gravenberch is relishing it ahead of the clash in Girona, their sixth game in this new Champions League format.
“For now it is nice to play every single game, but maybe in the future when you play a lot of games, now I think it is like 20 games in the Champions League competition, so if you reach the 60 or 70 mark then that is really crazy, but for now it is OK,” he said.
Gravenberch is all smiles during a Liverpool training session ahead of facing Girona
Girona host the Reds having just won one game so far in their first Champions League campaign while Slot's team have won every game so far, beating Real, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Bologna. But manager Michel is hoping for a big night against the six-time winners of the competition.
“They dominate all the concepts of the game,” said the Girona boss. “Their game is very dynamic, they change structure at any moment and they have players with top intensity and pressure. We will have to run more than ever. But it can be done, of course.
“Rayo (Vallecano, his former club) I always sang 'next year Rayo-Liverpool' and it was a dream. After qualifying for the Champions League, they were an opponent I wanted. Playing at Anfield or here is the same, it's a dream for everyone."
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