Arne Slot credited for creating a monster at Liverpool, he failed under Jurgen Klopp
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Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Tue 23 September 2025 12:15, UK
Arne Slot is already being praised for what Jurgen Klopp failed to manage during his final season as Liverpool manager.
Liverpool supporters were crushed by Klopp’s departure at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but after just his first year in charge, fans were left wanting even more from the former Bayern Munich man.
He lifted the Premier League title during his first season at Anfield, and after Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday, 20 September, the Reds have already moved five points clear at the top of the league table.
His time has certainly not come without its challenges, having been booted out of the Champions League and FA Cup at early stages last term, but his player management has not gone under the radar.
Mohamed Salah signed a contract extension during the summer, which was huge news for the new manager, but one star has made an incredible rise to the top under Slot’s guidance.
Credit: Imago
Ryan Gravenberch has starred for Liverpool so far this season, and in a conversation about the Premier League’s best No.6, Gab Marcotti was keen to put the Dutchman ahead of the pack.
“When he was first coming through the Ajax team, where they don’t defend and have 80% of the ball, he’s tall, he’s elegant, ‘oh look, he’s the Dutch [Paul] Pogba‘,” he said on ESPN FC (22 September).
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“He comes to the Premier League, [Jurgen] Klopp‘s last season, in and out, doesn’t play much; he’s unconvincing.
Then with Slot… I think he started every game last season, or at least appeared in every league game.
That’s a lot of credit to Gravenberch, and that’s a lot of credit to Slot.
Coaches who make individual players improve are worth their weight in gold.”
Impossible to disagree with the Italian journalist following Gravenberch’s recent performances in a red shirt.
The 23-year-old scored the opener in the Merseyside derby this weekend, popping up in the penalty area to lob a beautiful effort over Jordan Pickford.
He already has two goals and two assists to his name in five appearances across all competitions, with one of those coming in the 3-2 thriller against Atletico Madrid midweek.
Ryan Gravenberch in Premier League 2025-26StatAppearances4Starts4Goals2Assists1Shots per 901.8Big chances missed0Key passes per 901.5Tackles per 902.0Ball recoveries per 905.3Ryan Gravenberch’s Premier League stats.
In addition to his impressive numbers, as per FBref, Gravenberch ranks in the top 87th percentile for pass completion, as well as the top 82nd and 84th percentiles for progressive carries and successful take-ons, compared to those in Europe’s top five leagues.
Even with six goal contributions in his first term at Anfield, he failed to meet expectations, only starting 12 Premier League games.
Now, Liverpool fans could not imagine the lineup without him in it.