Arne Slot's thinking behind Liverpool summer transfer call comes under spotlight

The performances of Ryan Gravenberch have been highlighted as the key reason why Liverpool did not pursue a midfielder in the transfer window. The Reds did attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi, but once the Real Sociedad midfielder turned down a move to the Reds, they abandonded their pursuit of a No.6.

Instead, new boss Arne Slot has played Gravenberch in that role. The Dutchman had a mixed debut season at Anfield last term, but has been a revelation under Slot. His performances have caught the eye of former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant .



Pennant hailed Slot's decision to move Gravenberch as a 'gem' and insisted the Reds have been 'very smart'. He believes that Gravenberch's impressive performances have proven Slot's decision to curtail his pursuit of a new midfielder right. “Liverpool have been very, very smart by not just going out and bringing anybody in for big money which is a stop gap.

They’ve already got cover in Endo for a job if need be and I’m very, very surprised by Ryan Gravenberch," Pennant told BonusCodeBets . “When the season started and I saw he was going to be the number six I was questioning whether he is defensive minded enough, can he tackle and be robust but he’s shown that he can. "He’s not scared of a challenge and the reason Slot prefers Gravenberch is that he can take the ball with his back to play better than Endo.

He’s good at receiving the ball and taking the first touch away from the attacker and break the lines. “What a gem of a move from Slot because Klopp had him but didn’t use him there and that could have fixed a lot of issues last season. We could have played Gravenberch as the six and had Mac Allister higher up the pitch.

" HAVE YOUR SAY! Were Liverpool right not to make a move for a midfielder? Comment below . “You have to give Arne Slot credit for taking the risk and playing Ryan there. Hence why Liverpool weren’t so active in desperately looking for a six.

Slot knows what Ryan can do. If Liverpool really needed a six they would have gone and got one.” Slot himself has been full of praise for Gravenberch, especially after the win over Manchester United .

The Liverpool boss singled out the Dutchman as being key to his side's gameplan. "He can be a really important player for our build-up game, but what impressed me most when I started working with him [was] how much he can run and then still how good he is when he arrives in the duel," Slot said. "Today, you saw with him, Dominik [Szoboszlai] and Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] how much they were able to keep on running.

Sometimes you’re late, but then they just kept on running and arriving in the duel. So, that is the one thing that impressed me most about him: how good he also is without the ball." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.

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