How Gravenberch's new role powered Liverpool to the title

One of Arne Slot's key title-winning moves was shifting Ryan Gravenberch into a deeper midfield role. Football writer Adrian Clarke assesses how the Dutchman brought greater control and balance to Liverpool's midfield. 

Player analysis: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) 

Arne Slot’s decision to move Gravenberch into a new role as Liverpool’s chief defensive midfield pivot was one of the standout coaching decisions of 2024/25.

It proved to be a tactical change that improved the balance of Liverpool’s midfield as Slot saw that Gravenberch had all the right attributes required to perform that task well, in turn freeing up Alexis Mac Allister to play a little higher.

The 23-year-old was a star man in Liverpool’s title success, and was voted as the 2024/25 Hublot Young Player of the Season this week.

King of the interception

Gravenberch has consistently broken up play with his reading of the game and has made 10 more interceptions than any other Premier League midfielder this season.

While his top speed is not among the leading lights, Gravenberch is undeniably quick over short distances and uses that attribute to good effect.

He has habitually nipped in front of opponents to steal the ball as he anticipates where the ball is going to go.

When Liverpool have possession, Gravenberch will often drop between both centre-backs to dictate play, but his off-the-ball work is not just sat in front of the back four.

In fact, when you look at the areas where he makes his interceptions, it is almost the exact opposite.

A lot of his best work is performed on the counter-press inside the opposition half as he pounces on errant passes out wide and in central positions.

His turnovers have been the springboard for so many of Liverpool's attacks.

Raising his levels under Slot

Gravenberch never settled or looked fully comfortable under Jurgen Klopp last season.

He was constantly rotated in and out of the starting XI, making only 12 Premier League starts and 14 appearances from the bench.

Slot showed more faith in Gravenberch right from the outset, making his mind up early on that he would be a key part of his best side.

This provided Gravenberch with the confidence he needed to impose himself with greater authority.

When you compare his passing stats, it shows a sizeable improvement in both touches and accuracy, while his duel success has transformed from below average to among the very best in the division.

He ranks third for aerial duel success and sixth for duel success among midfielders who have made at least 20 starts this season.

Gravenberch's PL stats compared season by season

*Per 90 minutes

During 2024/25 Gravenberch has been assured and commanding.

He also ranks inside the top five among midfielders for successful passes and ball recoveries.

The positional switch has made Gravenberch a more pivotal figure, but the self-belief he has taken from Slot has also taken his game to a higher level.

Knitting the 4-2-3-1 together

The absence of an out-and-out centre-forward makes Liverpool’s first choice formation a little unusual for a 4-2-3-1.

Their No 10 Dominik Szoboszlai is more of a right-sided box-to-box player in possession, with Mac Allister balancing out the midfield by taking up positions to the left of central pivot Gravenberch.

As shown on the passing network graphic (below), the Reds’ striker often drifts left, with Szoboszlai mirroring that on the other side.

The system often appears to feature split strikers that prefer to come short, with the wide forwards stretching the game on their outside.

Gravenberch needed to show he has the maturity to be disciplined in that central role (RCM), and he has delivered on that superbly.

Click here to zoom in on image

Outstanding self-control

The Dutch midfielder rarely gets ideas above his station and is happy to lay an unselfish platform for others to shine.

On occasion he will venture into the final third of course, but that is not the norm.

Gravenberch’s distribution has almost exclusively been inside the middle third during this title-winning campaign.

He shifts laterally to get on the ball, but as his passing locations graphic (below) proves, he is highly disciplined in the positions he takes up.

Having somebody this measured down the spine of the pitch has limited the number of times opponents have been able to successfully counter against Liverpool.

Slot’s defence has not been exposed very often at all, with Gravenberch almost always in a position where he can recover to offer protection to the back four in case Liverpool lose the ball.

Rivals have scored only two goals from fast breaks against Slot's side all season, with AFC Bournemouth (one) the only team with fewer concessions of that type.

Carrying with confidence 

Gravenberch is not just a tidy passer who keeps things simple, one of his super-strengths is an ability to break the lines with the ball at his feet.

Of all the Premier League’s defensive midfielders, only Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic has made more progress from ball carries across the season.

Taking it more than 2.5km towards the opposition goal, Gravenberch has added something different and highly effective from that pivot position.

Progress from ball carries by PL defensive midfielders 24/25

Gravenberch will run with the ball from anywhere on the pitch before shifting it on to somebody else.

This quality makes him press-resistant and opens up space for team-mates.

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This time last year Gravenberch may have been contemplating his future options, after a largely frustrating debut campaign.

What a difference 12 months makes.

The change of head coach has worked wonders for him, and the Dutchman is now a must-pick for the best side in English football.