Liverpool manager Arne Slot has told Ryan Gravenberch to ready himself to feature in two different positions this season.
The 22-year-old played predominantly as a box-to-box midfielder under former boss Jurgen Klopp last season following his arrival from Bayern Munich.
While Slot has suggested that he will continue to deploy Gravenberch as a No 8 at times, he also wants to be able to use him in more of a holding role – like he did in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Ipswich.
Gravenberch told Liverpoolfc.com on Saturday: ‘I had a little chat with him (Slot) and he said I have to focus on the No 6 and No 8 positions.
‘Now I play at No 6. In the past I played it as well so I know what I have to do. I’ve enjoyed playing there.’
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (right) pictured speaking to Ryan Gravenberch (left) during a pre-season friendly at Anfield earlier this summer
Gravenberch played in the No 6 position during last weekend’s 2-0 win away at Ipswich Town
Gravenberch added: ‘It’s a little bit of a different system than we played last season, but I think everyone has adapted to it. Now we have to build it further and further.
‘I think at the end we can be a really dominant team.’
Gravenberch emerging as Slot’s first choice in the No 6 role could indicate that Liverpool’s search for a new defensive midfielder is over.
The Reds have been linked with the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Joshua Kimmich this summer.
But with Gravenberch now looking like a solid option and with Wataru Endo still as back-up, Liverpool might well decide that they are not as short in defensive midfield as some have previously suggested.
Liverpool rejected a bid from Marseille for Endo worth £11.8million last month.
