Phil Thompson hails Liverpool ace who was ‘ahead of everyone else on the pitch’

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Phil Thompson has hailed an ‘excellent’ Liverpool ace who was superb during the 3-0 victory over Manchester United.

Arne Slot was chosen to be Liverpool’s new manager a couple of months ago and the Dutchman has made quite the impact at Anfield replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool have picked up three straight victories in the Premier League including Sunday’s 3-0 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford with Luis Diaz netting twice for the Reds.

Slot’s side failed in an attempt to land Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad with the Spaniard opting to remain at San Sebastian but it appears that the club have a more than capable replacement.

Phil Thompson praises ‘excellent’ Ryan Gravenberch

Since moving to Liverpool from Bayern Munich back in the summer of 2023, Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has found things difficult at Anfield in the Premier League.

Gravenberch was signed by Klopp but struggled to make an impact in the Premier League and was not one of the three favoured midfield options under the German.

However, under new manager Slot, Gravenberch has reinvented himself as a deeper midfielder and was exceptional against Kobbie Mainoo during the victory at Old Trafford.

Speaking on talkSPORT (9:03am), former Liverpool midfielder Phil Thompson was full of praise for the Dutchman.

“He’s always looked like he had potential and now that he has had a full pre-season with us its helped,” Thompson said.

“He’s so quick across the ground, he’s rapid on the floor. Is he a number six? I’m not so sure. Him and (Alexis) Mac Aliister dovetail really well, he has been absolutely excellent.

“He read that Casemiro pass before anyone else did, he was on the move to intercept it. I think he’s had a fantastic start to the season.”

Ryan Gravenberch could solve midfield problems

The Dutch midfielder had a slow debut campaign at Anfield but under a new manager, Gravenberch seems to be reinventing himself.

Gravenberch may well not be the long-term number six option for the Reds but he has adapted himself well under Slot and is beginning to show the qualities that were expected of him following his move from Bayern Munich.

The Dutchman’s ability on the ball, his speed of thought and his speed when on the ball make him a dangerous option and he could be a key force for the Reds moving forward.