Ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright says Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and his coaching staff would have been “pleasantly surprised” with how Ryan Gravenberch has seamlessly fitted into the No.6 role since the beginning of the campaign.

The Dutchman has been outstanding in the opening three Premier League games, and Wright has pinpointed the player’s work out of possession as a particular highlight:

“His defensive work in that particular game was something they would have looked at and thought ‘wow’ because he is not a natural No.6, he’s more of a No.8 who wants to get forward into the box and scores goals. But they must have been pleasantly surprised or they’ve seen in training how good he is doing that defensive role if he gets himself in that position.”

Wright believes that Gravenberch wasn’t first choice for the role, considering the Reds were keen to recruit Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, but the Netherlands international has managed to make a good impression nonetheless:

“We know Liverpool, they go for their man and if they don’t get their man like Zubimendi, they don’t then just go for the next one. They are happy to wait and see and they’ve obviously tried Ryan in there and, at the moment three games in, it looks very solid.”

Gravenberch is happy with the start he has made

Speaking whilst away on international duty, the midfielder said he is “feeling good” about how things have gone for him so far this season.

During his first year at Anfield, Gravenberch did struggle for regular game time but he claims Slot has placed his “trust” in him and he is consequently more determined to perform out on the pitch.

Liverpool could still recruit a new midfielder in January

Of course, just because Gravenberch has performed well in the first three league fixtures, it doesn’t mean that the Reds have solved their issues in the middle of the park.

The club’s recruitment department may still bring in a specialist No.6 when the transfer window reopens in the New Year but, for now at least, it seems Slot can rely on Gravenberch to fill in.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here