Ryan Gravenberch reveals Arne Slot talks that led to Liverpool position change

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has opened up on the conversations that he has held with new head coach Arne Slot ahead of the new season, which has seen him take on a new role for the Reds.

Brought in as a No.8 from Bayern Munich last summer in a deal worth around $44m (£34m/€40m) , Gravenberch has mainly played in a box-to-box role to date, though he was not afforded that many sustained chances under Jurgen Klopp in his debut campaign. But now, with Liverpool having failed to convince Martin Zubimendi to sign, Gravenberch is set to be deployed as Slot's No.6.

"I had a little chat with him [Slot] and he said I have to focus on the No.6 and No.8 positions," Gravenberch explained to Liverpool's official website . "Now I play at No.6. In the past I played it as well so I know what I have to do. I’ve enjoyed playing there.

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"It’s a little bit of a different system than we played last season, but I think everyone has adapted to it. Now we have to build it further and further. I think at the end we can be a really dominant team."

To date, Gravenberch has only played twice in that role for Slot — against Sevilla in a friendly and then against Ipswich Town last weekend — but the 21-year-old has looked good, especially on the ball. In a game against Brentford , who will offer considerably more of an aerial threat, though, it could be a different challenge for Gravenberch to get to grips with.

"We know where we stand," he added. "Brentford are a good team, they have a good team. In the Premier League , there are no easy games, so we know it will be tough. But we’ll give everything and hopefully, we can get the win."

Liverpool.com says: Gravenberch has done well in the deep-lying role up to now but we are about to see just how well suited he is to playing there long term, assuming he starts the matches against Brentford and then Manchester United. They will offer a lot more to think about defensively with Gravenberch's on-ball value long having been clear.