The October international break marks a good point for Liverpool to assess their early season form so far.
Whereas the last pause in play came after just three games of the campaign, the Reds have now played 10 matches under Arne Slot.
With more of a sample size to go on, better conclusions can be drawn about the direction certain members of the Liverpool squad are heading in.
Obviously, it is still very early days under the new Liverpool head coach and nothing should be taken as read just yet.
But having won nine out of hist 10 games in charge, the signs are almost wholly positive for Slot at this point in time.
The same can certainly be said for midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. After a mixed first season at Anfield in 2023/24, Gravenberch has stolen the show in 2024/25. And pundit Ian Wright clearly likes what he sees from the Dutchman.
Ian Wright hails ‘outstanding’ Gravenberch
Gravenberch has been earning plaudits left, right and centre during the first two months of the season under Slot.
The 22-year-old has felt to be picking up man of the match awards on an almost weekly basis. Even Andy Robertson has been getting bored of Gravenberch’s brilliance.
With the former Ajax man in the spotlight, former Arsenal striker Wright has previously claimed that Gravenberch needs to step up even further to truly cement himself in the Liverpool midfield.
Two weeks on from that assertion, and the pundit has revisited the topic of the Reds’ No.38, claiming that Gravenberch is now showing his ‘true ability.’
READ MORE: Arne Slot names the three players who are really helping Ryan Gravenberch shine
“In the way that he has adapted to that position, these games have given him the confidence and he has now got the momentum where he’s outstanding,” Wright raved on The Kelly & Wrighty Show. “Outstanding performances.
“What we are seeing is that obviously against maybe that calibre of opposition, his true ability is coming out. But what he is doing to show us is fantastic.
“The way he can dribble out of trouble, he can pass out of trouble, he can stop, he can break up possession and then he can progress the ball,” he adds. “These kinds of games will only give him confidence for the games to come.”
Big test set to arrive for Ryan Gravenberch
Like all of Liverpool’s players, the next couple of months following the international break is going to be a real test for Gravenberch.
As Wright alludes to once again, the Netherlands international has shown that he can certainly run the show for the Reds against slightly lesser opposition.
But with games against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa all on the calendar over the next few weeks, tougher times lay ahead.
If Gravenberch can come through that period and still maintain his level, then the question marks that still linger ever so subtly over him will disappear once and for all.
From what he’s shown so far, there’s no reason to believe that Ryan cannot step up to the plate and deliver once again.
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