Ryan Gravenberch is finally showing the world the talent that Cody Gakpo always believed he possessed, thanks in large part to the expert guidance of manager Arne Slot.

After moving to Liverpool from Bayern Munich last summer, the Dutch midfielder faced a challenging first season, featuring 38 times under Jürgen Klopp. However, injuries and inconsistent performance kept him from establishing himself as a key player in Klopp's rotation.

Enter Arne Slot, former Feyenoord manager, who has brought a fresh perspective to Liverpool’s midfield dynamics. Slot’s vision for Gravenberch has seen him deployed in a deeper role, allowing the 22-year-old to not only disrupt opponent attacks but also to initiate Liverpool's offensive plays. This shift has transformed Gravenberch into one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League this season.

His fellow Dutch international, Cody Gakpo, has been particularly impressed by Gravenberch's development and the growing connection between him and Slot. "We [the Dutchmen at Liverpool] knew Ryan already from the Eredivisie during his time at Ajax," Gakpo shared. "Everyone in Holland understood his potential, even during his less active stint at Bayern Munich."

Gakpo underscored the significance of Slot’s early faith in Gravenberch, pointing out that a slight change in position came with a boost in confidence. “At the start of the season, he was placed in a different position, but the manager empowered him to play freely,” Gakpo added.

Gravenberch has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented to him, starting in all 11 Premier League matches this season and completing all 90 minutes in each of Liverpool’s four Champions League matches. With the Dutch national team gearing up to face Bosnia in Zenica, Gakpo expressed pride in his teammate's transformation.

“Ryan is demonstrating the quality we always believed he had, and he is performing remarkably well this season," Gakpo remarked. "I’m thrilled that he can share his talent with the world now, and I couldn't be prouder to see him thrive."

As Liverpool continues to push for a top spot in both the Premier League and Champions League, Gravenberch's evolution under Slot may prove to be a pivotal factor in their quest for silverware. Keep an eye on this rising star as he navigates his way to greatness!