Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports/Getty
Topics: Arne Slot, Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch, Football, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos
Marcus Chan
Topics: Arne Slot, Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch, Football, Real Madrid, Toni Kroos
Liverpool boss Arne Slot delivered a brilliant five-word response when asked whether Ryan Gravenberch could be the new Toni Kroos.
Gravenberch started at the heart of Liverpool's midfield on Wednesday night as they faced Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
In front of a packed crowd inside Anfield, Slot's men delivered a masterclass as goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo secured a 2-0 victory.
Dutchman Gravenberch continued his fine start to the 24/25 season by producing a commanding display alongside Curtis Jones and Mac Allister as they dominated the Madrid midfield.
After the match, during a press conference, Liverpool boss Slot was asked whether Gravenberch could be the new Kroos.
Advert
Slot brilliantly replied: "No, because he is Dutch."
Further expanding on Gravenberch's performance, Slot said: "I agree with you he played a very good game, which was not that easy because he conceded a yellow card already quite early in the game.
"But he is so comfortable on the ball, and we like to have possession a lot and if you have possession a lot it’s always useful to have players that are so comfortable and dominant on the ball. And he brings, together with our last line, the ball towards the players that can hurt every opposition."
Advert
He added: "That’s what makes him special, together with his running capacity – he just keeps on running. And he, like all the others, also profits from the team performance, because I’ve said it many times, the team performance makes the individual performance and not the opposite way around."
German Kroos is one of the best midfielders of his generation having enjoyed a stellar career playing for the likes of Madrid and Bayern Munich. The now-retired star won a host of different trophies thorughout his career, including the Champions League, La Liga and the Bundesliga.
During the summer transfer window, a lot was made about Liverpool's need to sign a defensive midfielder.
Advert
However, after missing out on Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, Gravenberch was given the chance to play the no.6 role and he has impressed massively.
Liverpool will be back in action this weekend when they take on Manchester City in the Premier League at Anfield.