‘It’s not bullshit’ – Ryan Gravenberch responds to criticism of discontent

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has insisted he is not bothered by criticism of his ‘carelessness’ on the pitch.

The midfielder has been one of the Reds’ best performers so far in the 2024/25 season under new manager Arne Slot, heading into September’s internationals with three wins from three Premier League games.

Gravenberch joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich on deadline day in the 2023 summer transfer window, but has struggled to make an appearance at Anfield.

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has been critical of Gravenberch’s lack of focus in the past, and while the 22-year-old did not dispute the claim, he admitted he is not bothered by the noise about his performance.

“It’s not nonsense, everyone has an opinion,” Gravenberch said The Telegraph.

“People say about me that I’m naive. That’s just me. Now I have that naivety too, but people don’t really talk about it, because things are going well in Liverpool.”

It has also been suggested to the midfielder that his performance so far this season has led him to reemerge as ‘Gravenberch 2.0’.

“I think you are exaggerating a bit!” he answered. “Because I also had bad moments. But, in general, I can be satisfied with my game.

“We have only played three games and the season is still long, it is up to us to maintain this level.

“We [Slot] he had talks before the season and gave me a chance from the start. The coach knows me when I played in Ajax and he knows that I am good at football. Now I’m in the sixth position and I’m playing more defensively than last season at number 8. I’ve also played in that position for Ajax, so I’m used to it.”

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