Press conference'I listened to my dad!' - Ryan Gravenberch on goals, Slot influence, Real Madrid and more
Ryan Gravenberch previewed Liverpool's Champions League clash with Real Madrid at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
The midfielder, who made a goalscoring return from injury for the Reds in the Premier League win over Aston Villa at the weekend, took a range of questions from the media ahead of the European game.
Read a summary of Gravenberch's pre-Real briefing at Anfield below...
On his increased amount of goals scored this term and what has changed...
I think I listened to my dad more this season! He always says to me, 'You have to shoot more, shoot more.' This season, you see what happens! Also in the game on Saturday against Villa, I shot and it got deflected. So, I have to shoot more. That's it, basically.
He has watched every game, obviously I have so many conversations with him about what I can do better and everything. I listen to him a lot, and also this season.
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Watch on YouTubeOn how pivotal a moment this could be in the season...
I think every game is important. Obviously now we play against Madrid and if we win it will be good for us. But we go game by game, and I think we should focus tomorrow on Madrid.
On facing Real...
I think they are doing really great this season. The forwards of them, I think the whole team basically, but in particular if you see [Kylian] Mbappe or Vinicius on the left, when they go in behind it's a strength of them. We need to be spot on tomorrow if we face them.
On how important Arne Slot has been to his personal development...
For me he's really important because when he came here he gave me the chance to become a starting XI player, he gave me a lot of confidence. He gave me the opportunity to show myself again to the world, and for that I'm really happy.
On how Liverpool can try to stop Mbappe...
Ibou [Konate] knows him very well, I have to speak with Ibou about this maybe! But we know he is a top, top player with really good quality. He can play in behind, he can come on the ball, also he is a good finisher. So, it will not be easy for us but we will do everything to try to stop him.
On whether his play is different this season as new players integrate in the team...
Not really. We are trying to do the same things but for the new players it's not always easy because they come to a new team, they have a new coach, new principles of play. For them it's not easy to be here and do directly everything good. I don't see a lot of different things.
On if he has to accommodate his style to help them...
I think it can be both ways. But such things take time, it's not from day one [that] OK, they can do it good. They are here now a few months and they already do a good job. We will see in a few more weeks, months how they do then.
On his adaptation to a deeper role last season and if he now sees that as his long-term position...
How easy was it? It was not easy! But in that role I played already before a little bit, so I knew a little bit what to expect. When the coach came, I had big conversations with him [about] what he expects from me as well. But from now, I just focus on the six position and I try to do my best there as well.