Ryan Gravenberch responds to Liverpool start as Arne Slot 'slightly better' than Erik ten Hag

Ryan Gravenberch has revealed the confidence he is being given by Arne Slot - as the Liverpool head coach was described as "lucky" by Holland boss Ronald Koeman. Gravenberch has proven an unexpected success during the opening weeks of the season having been switched into a defensive midfield role by Slot during the warm-up programme.

The 22-year-old was outstanding in the 3-0 triumph at Manchester United on Sunday that continued Liverpool's 100% start to the Premier League season under Slot.

And Gravenberch believes he is benefiting from the clear instructions being given to him by the new Reds boss.

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"Of course things are going well, but I'm still myself," he said. "I'm just comfortable in my own skin."

Of Slot, Gravenberch added: "He's a good coach, has a clear plan. And he gives me confidence."

Gravenberch is part of the Holland squad currently preparing for their forthcoming UEFA Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday and Germany next Tuesday.

The midfielder was in the Dutch party for the European Championships this summer but failed to feature for a single minute as Koeman's side reached the semi-finals before losing in dramatic fashion to England.

And the player said to ESPN: "If I'm honest, it kept nagging at me a bit. But when I was on holiday, it went away.

"I didn't talk to the national coach about it anymore, life goes on, right? The European Championship is over, now the focus is on the Nations League."

Koeman - who on Monday referred to Gravenberch's previous "laziness" as a player - was an interested observer of Sunday's game at Old Trafford, with several Holland players involved and two Dutch managers, Slot and United boss Erik ten Hag, pitted against each other in the dugout.

And while Liverpool were emphatic victors, Koeman believes Slot has been fortunate to inherit a front line of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz and is only doing a marginally better job than compatriot Ten Hag.

"I watched because of the many Dutch players," said the Holland head coach. "But of course I also looked at it from a manager's point of view.

"Arne Slot is doing a slightly better job. But if you have the front three that he has, you must realise you are lucky."