Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberg. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arne Slott praised Ryan Gravenberger’s performance in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham.
The Reds fell behind twice against Cottagers, despite playing with 10 men for much of the game after Andy Robertson’s 17th-minute red card.
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Even with one man behind, Liverpool attempted 16 shots, achieving 2.26 xG, compared to Fulham’s 12 and 1.08 respectively.
A lot of that came down to controlling 61 percent of the ball, and Graven Burch was key to that effort.
The Netherlands international once again put in a stunning performance at the back of Liverpool’s midfield, completing 96% of his passes and taking 80 touches.
Gravenberch also won all three aerial duels and seven of 12 aerial duels while completing nine final third passes, eight receptions, two interceptions and two tackles.
On both sides of the ball, Gravenberch helped Liverpool establish dominance against numerically superior opponents.
Slaughter didn’t need a second invitation to praise his countryman.
Slot Machines Heaps High Praise on Ryan Gravenberch
“Like everyone who was in the stadium or watching the game, it was impressive,” Slaughter said of Graven Birch (via Liverpool official website).
“Ryan was outstanding again today. Without the ball he was in our last line most of the time and had to fight against the number nine at times and against very fast wingers. With the ball he came into the midfield .
“His performance has been outstanding. But if we only highlight him, I don’t think I’m giving enough credit to him and all the other players around him. I couldn’t ask for more.
“[We] Dominating the game, having more possession with 10 men, creating more chances – it’s all what you want. Unfortunately for us, maybe the only chance they had to score was with 10 men – and that happens sometimes. “
Arne Slot frustrated with Bernd Leno’s antics
Red card from Andy Robertson Andreas Pereira only received a yellow card for a fierce challenge on Gravenberch and there was plenty for Slot to dislike on Saturday.
Another source of frustration was Fulham’s time-wasting tactics under goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
In fact, in the second half, when the German received the ball in his own penalty area, Slaughter was caught counting how long the German had the ball – he was already counting to 10 seconds before the camera turned away from him.
? | Arne Slot counts the minutes Leno holds the ball, what a blast!
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— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) December 14, 2024
Of course, no matter how frustrating it may be, goalkeepers losing the ball is a common occurrence in the game.
Slott would have probably scolded Alisson if Koishin Kelleher hadn’t pulled off antics like this.
