Cody Gakpo has expressed his pride in seeing compatriot Ryan Gravenberch show off his qualities ‘to the whole world’.
Though the Netherlands pair did not become teammates at Liverpool until late summer of 2023, Gakpo knew well Gravenberch’s talents from their respective Eredivisie spells with PSV Eindhoven and AFC Ajax.
Now in his second season with the Reds, the latter has drawn widespread plaudits for his form in a new, deeper-lying midfield role under Arne Slot.
Gravenberch has made 15 starts in 17 fixtures this term as Slot’s men sit top of the Premier League and Champions League amid the current international window.
midfielder
Season 2024-25
Appearances
- 15
Time Played
- 1349
“We [the Dutchmen at Liverpool] knew Ryan already from the Eredivisie when he played at Ajax, and I think everybody knew already that he is this good,” Gakpo recently told Men in Blazers.
“After, he made a move to Bayern Munich and maybe he didn’t play that much over there, but still everybody in Holland knew how good he could be when he was playing.
“And I think maybe the manager [Slot] also knew this. At the beginning of the season he put him in a slightly different position but he gave him the confidence to play there.
“Ryan showed his quality at that position, grabbed his chance as well and turned out to be a good match. He is playing outstandingly for us this season.
“I’m very happy that we can see the Ryan we as Dutchmen already knew, but now he can show it to the whole world. I’m very proud of him''
