Jurgen Klopp gave Ryan Gravenberch exactly what he needs after Germany’s draw with the Netherlands
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Jurgen Klopp is up and running as Germany manager after claiming a 1-1 draw against Xavi’s Netherlands team in Amsterdam on Thursday.The match had plenty of Liverpool interest, with Klopp‘s return to the touchline coming during a game in which Cody Gakpo scored a late equaliser, Virgil van Dijk had a goal ruled out and Ryan Gravenberch played the full 90 minutes.In typical fashion, the former Liverpool manager greeted all of his old players enthusiastically before the match, but it was a moment with Gravenberch after the game which really caught the eye. Fairly? 🤔 Klopp gives Gravenberch some loveIt has been a tough start to the season for Gravenberch, who has lost his place in Liverpool’s starting XI under Andoni Iraola, and is struggling to make any kind of impact when coming off the bench during matches.That appeared to continue into Thursday’s game, where the 24-year-old did not look like the assured, dominating midfielder Liverpool fans know he can be.Klopp was always brilliant at spotting when a player needed a bit of extra love, and cameras captured him heading over to Gravenberch at the final whistle.
The Germany boss put two arms around his former player’s neck and brought his ear next to his mouth, clearly sharing some words of wisdom for him. Though initially smiling, Gravenberch’s expression then turns serious as Klopp brings his head away.READ MORE: Why Andoni Iraola deserves far more credit for his unbeaten start with LiverpoolThe 59-year-old says a few more words with a smile while embracing Gravenberch, before the two part with a few pats on the back.
Although he was never exactly the first name on the team sheet under Klopp, Gravenberch may just have needed this exact moment in order to find his confidence again and return to being the player who won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season in 2024/25.As well as Gravenberch, Klopp was clearly delighted to see both Van Dijk and Gakpo before and after Thursday’s match.Plenty of clips are doing the rounds on social media of the legendary former Reds boss chatting and embracing his old stars.Naturally, Van Dijk was given the biggest reception, with Klopp spotted walking arm in arm with his former captain in the tunnel. Gakpo received a cuddle as well, although whether Klopp was quite so willing to embrace him following his 92nd minute stunner of an equaliser is not certain!Either way, it will have been a special return for Klopp, and for the three players who were lucky enough to be managed by him, it was clearly very important as well, for a variety of reasons.