Arne Slot changing Liverpool ways clear as Ryan Gravenberch Premier League truth emerges

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Once had to tell Jude Law he does not drive a Mini.

The criticism has always seemed curious for a player deemed the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League last season.

Ryan Gravenberch, though, has set about addressing his supposed shortcoming.

Having failed to score a single goal during the 2024/25 campaign, Gravenberch now has two in five outings this season, along with two assists, already half the total he managed last time around.

And it served to strengthen claims the Holland international is the finest player in the top flight on current form.

Sure, the sample size is small.

But Gravenberch’s impact for a third game in succession this week was sizeable, not least his superbly-taken 10th -minute strike from Mohamed Salah’s ball over the top that ensured there would be no repeat of the laboured breaking down of a rearguard as at Burnley six days earlier.

The Dutchman then turned creator with the inviting pass that split the Everton centre-backs and released Hugo Ekitike to net.

Not bad for a supposedly selfish player.

Kerkez responds as Bradley learns

If there’s one area in which Arne Slot is continuing to find the right formula in his new-look team, it’s full-back.

While the remainder is being selected and rotated in expected manner, the wide defensive areas have, for a variety of reasons, been chopped and changed.

There was more of the same here with Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley brought in on the left and right respectively having both appeared from the bench against Atletico Madrid in midweek.

Kerkez had something of a point to prove after being hauled off before the break at Burnley last weekend.

And he responded in an encouraging manner with his best Liverpool performance to date up against the tricky Iliman Ndiaye, staying on his feet when required and, most impressively, strong in the air with one late far-post clearance prompting roars from the home crowd.

Former Anfield left-back favourite Joey Jones, whose life was celebrated before the game along with that of ex-Liverpool forward Bobby Graham, would surely have approved.

Bradley, meanwhile, had a much tougher afternoon up against Jack Grealish, and it was from his wing that Everton’s goal originated.

Having been substituted before he was sent off on his derby debut earlier in the year, this was another learning curve for the Irishman from which he will benefit.

Slot changing tack

Liverpool had more than £300million worth of signings on the bench.

That early energy was key.

And there was also an important cameo from Curtis Jones, back after injury.

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The Scouser revels in these fixtures, and his enthusiasm and drive gave the Reds an injection at precisely the right time.

He will be among many who can expect more minutes as Slot’s rotation becomes heavier for the League Cup visit of Southampton on Tuesday.