Ryan Gravenberch stole the spotlight on Saturday as he inspired Liverpool to a 2-1 derby victory over Everton.
Liverpool’s Merseyside derby victory may have extended their winning run, but it was far from a flawless performance. The Reds once again threatened to surrender a two-goal cushion, something that has already become a worrying theme this season.
Despite the late wobble, early goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike proved enough to see Arne Slot’s men maintain their perfect start in the Premier League.
Gravenberch has been in outstanding form since the opening weekend, carrying over the momentum from last season when he was crowned the league’s Young Player of the Year. His sharp finish against Everton was further proof of his rising influence.
The Dutchman then turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Ekitike, who calmly slotted home his fourth goal for Liverpool. It was the type of link-up that underlined why Gravenberch is becoming one of Slot’s most trusted players.
Slot reveals near substitution
The Liverpool boss was full of praise for his countryman after the game but admitted in his post-match press conference that things could have turned out differently.
Slot revealed he had actually been ready to substitute Gravenberch around the hour mark, only for Everton’s goal to force a change of plan.
“I was planning to take him off after 60 minutes, but then we conceded,” Slot explained. “He takes the headlines for his attacking contributions, but what really impressed me was his defensive running and support.”
The manager highlighted how often Gravenberch sprinted to help Conor Bradley when he was doubled up against, and how he also dropped deep to cover alongside Dominik Szoboszlai.
That selfless work, Slot explained, also allowed Mohamed Salah to conserve energy higher up the pitch, ensuring the Egyptian remained a constant threat on the counter.
Liverpool face balancing act
Even with Slot’s trust in him, there’s a growing sense that Liverpool could be walking a fine line with Gravenberch’s workload. The midfielder has barely missed a minute since the Dutch coach took over and risks burning out if that trend continues.
Slot admitted that a solution will need to be found, starting this week. The Reds face Southampton in the Carabao Cup, and the head coach confirmed that Gravenberch — along with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Szoboszlai — will all be rested.
That midweek tie will instead give Liverpool’s fringe players a chance to impress at Anfield, while Gravenberch finally gets the breather he has long deserved.
It’s a reminder that while his quality is undeniable, Liverpool will need him at his best in the months that matter most. Slot’s challenge now is to keep his midfield general fresh for the long haul.