Soccer

“His potential is now fully revealed” – Rafael van der Vaart Claims Arne Slot Has Brought Out The Best In Liverpool Star

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published11 Sep 2024

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Dutch legend Rafael van der Vaart has heaped praise on Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, claiming Arne Slot has unlocked his full potential. Van der Vaart’s comments came on the back of Gravenberch’s stellar showing in the Netherlands’ UEFA Nations League clash with .

Ryan Gravenberch Stole The Show Against

Manager Ronald Koeman started Gravenberch in Holland’s second UEFA Nations League A Group 3 game against on Tuesday, September 10. Gravenberch set the tempo early on, playing an inch-perfect through-ball down the German midfield, allowing Tijjani Reijnders to go through on goal. The AC Milan man kept his cool and slotted the ball underneath Marc-Andre ter Stegen to fire the Netherlands into the lead.

In the 21st minute, Gravenberch produced the moment of the game, sending Xavi Simons through on goal with a 70-yard crossfield ball from deep inside his half. Simons had a go from inside the box, but Ter Stegen kept it at 1-0.

Deniz Undav and Joshua Kimmich scored one goal each for before the break, sending the visitors 2-1 up.

Holland, however, did not trail for long, as Denzel Dumfries scored just five minutes into the second 45. The home side thought they had pulled ahead when Gravenberch had a go from distance. The ball was creeping into the bottom-left corner but Ter Stegen parried it out of harm’s way.

Rafael van der Vaart Credits Liverpool Boss Arne Slot For Ryan Gravenberch Improvement

Van der Vaart was delighted with Gravenberch’s performance against and gave Slot his due credit.

Speaking to Dutch outlet NOS, he said (via Metro):

“I think we have a great midfielder. Arne Slot has brought him back to his full potential at Liverpool, and his potential is now fully revealed.

“Today I thought he was the very, very, very best, certainly in the first hour.”

He added:

“He plays football so easily and es balls. And then that one [21st-minute ball to Simons]. 

“Those are the most difficult balls to in football. He did it fantastically.”

Gravenberch, 22, ed Liverpool from Bayern Munich last summer. The Amsterdam-born midfielder, who has scored four times in 41 games for the Reds, sees his contract expire in June 2028.