Arne Slot makes Ryan Gravenberch substitution admission and agrees with Liverpool 'freedom' claim
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Arne Slot hailed the all-round performance of Ryan Gravenberch after the Liverpool midfielder scored and assisted in the 2-1 win over Everton.
The Reds edged the 247th Merseyside derby thanks to their two first-half goals.
Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring with a hooked finish from a hooked Mohamed Salah pass before his own defence-splitting pass allowed Hugo Ekitike to double the advantage.
But Slot highlighted the wider performance of the in-form Netherlands international after his side made it five wins from five at the start of their defence of the Premier League title.
"For every player it’s the same, you need a team around you to show how good you are - I know we have a lot of good players," the Liverpool head coach said.
"Both goals were in a similar area that we attacked, first with Ryan and second with Hugo, with the pace these two have.
First half, it was a joy to watch.
“We had a bit of a warning before half-time when they had a shot on target, and the difficult thing conceding the 2-1 when you are 2-0 up you are a bit in doubt.
“Normally we are not in doubt, we keep attacking.
But we had better chances to score the third than the second.
“That’s the evolution of a team.
You constantly try to do things that are really good, but other times try to adjust to us as well, so we need to constantly evolve and we have different players to last season.
“I wouldn’t say Ryan has freedom but he has the moments he can help the attack, but that has a lot to do with how the other team pressures.
“But he has a bit more freedom, yes."
Gravenberch said after his star performance: "The coach has given me the confidence and this season we have more freedom in the midfield.
"Last season I was only the No.6 and now I can go more forward, which is what you've seen today.
"I think my strength is also there, so I'm happy with that and also with the goal."
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Slot added on Gravenberch: "I was planning to take him off after 60 minutes and then we conceded a goal.
"He has taken the spotlight maybe for his attacking things he does, but we always see how much he runs off the ball how many times he is there to help out Conor Bradley when he’s in a two-v-one situation - the same for Dominik Szoboszlai...