‘It’s not nonsense’ – Ryan Gravenberch responds to criticism of complacency

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

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

Gravenberch joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day of the summer 2023 window, but struggled to make an immediate impression at Anfield.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has been critical of Gravenberch’s lack of concentration in the past, and though the 22-year-old didn’t refute this claim, he admitted is unbothered by noise regarding his performances.

“It’s not nonsense, everyone has their own opinion,” Gravenberch told De Telegraaf.

“People say about me that I’m a bit nonchalant. That’s just in me. Now I also have that nonchalance, but people don’t really talk about it, because things are going well at Liverpool.”

It was also suggested to the midfielder that his performances so far this season have led to him reemerging to stardom as ‘Gravenberch 2.0’.

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

“We’ve only been playing for three games and the season is still long. It’s up to me to maintain this level.

“We [Slot] had talks before the season and he gave me the chance from the start. The coach knows me from my Ajax period and knows that I have a lot of footballing ability. Now I’m in the number six position and I play a bit more defensively than last season at number eight. I also played in that position at Ajax, so I’m used to it.”

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