Ryan Gravenberch is in his second season at Liverpool and it’s safe to say that he looks fully settled into his surroundings now.
Much like several players who make their way to the Premier League from other nations, Ryan Gravenberch also struggled to have much of a say on the Reds during his debut campaign.
But Gravenberch looks like a changed man under Arne Slot as the Dutch international is having the season of his life for the Premier League’s current table-toppers.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 23 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 56 | 21 | 35 | 56 |
Slot admitted Gravenberch stunned him with how brilliant he is defensively — as the former Bayern Munich technician has developed into one of the most in-form holding midfielders in the Premier League this season.
For the 22-year-old to have become the player he is now at Liverpool, several factors must have led to his ascent.
One of them seems to be having a close bond with his teammates.
Ryan Gravenberch names Cody Gakpo as his best friend at Liverpool
Gravenberch admitted that Cody Gakpo is his best friend at Liverpool while also naming Virgil van Dijk as one of his closest mates.
However, Gravenberch claimed that he spends more time off the pitch with Gakpo.
The Amsterdam-born tackler told Liverpool’s official YouTube channel: “Cody [Gakpo], I have a close relationship with him, sometimes, after [training], we do some things together.” When asked where he goes out with Gakpo, Gravenberch replied: “We just go out to dinner.”
Gravenberch mentioned Gakpo again when quizzed about the one Liverpool player he would call if he had an emergency: “I’d probably say Cody. I have the closest connection with him. I’ll give him a call and I think I’m sure he’ll come directly.”
What Cody Gakpo said about Ryan Gravenberch recently
Gakpo revealed that he was always aware that Gravenberch was a top player.
Speaking about his move to a defensive midfield position, Gakpo lauded Gravenberch’s incredible showings this term as well.
The £37 million (Athletic) man told Men In Blazers: “We knew Ryan already from the Eredivisie when he played at Ajax, and I think everybody knew already that he is this good.”
“After, he made a move to Bayern Munich, and maybe he didn’t play that much over there, but still, everybody in Holland knew how good he could be when he was playing.”
“And I think maybe the manager also knew this. At the beginning of the season, he put him in a slightly different position, but he gave him the confidence to play there.”
“Ryan showed his quality at that position, grabbed his chance as well and turned out to be a good match. He is playing outstandingly for us this season.”