Jurgen Klopp hails Ryan Gravenberch’s “talent” in Europa League win
Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota scored as Liverpool beat Union Saint-Gilloise
The Reds signed the Dutch Bayern Munich star for £35m on deadline day
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed the “obvious talent” of Ryan Gravenberch after the midfielder scored his first goal in a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Netherlands international, a £35m signing from Bayern Munich, was making just his third start of the season and after impressing in the first round of Europe, finished with a second overall performance which he described as “the easiest goal of my career”. Gravenberch capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Anthony Moris, who saved Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot, giving the 21-year-old a shot minutes before half-time.
It was a crucial goal as Liverpool missed a number of chances before that and although they were rarely in trouble, Diogo Jota’s stoppage time goal late in the second half secured a second consecutive Europa League win. “It’s really obvious how good he is, how talented he is,” Klopp said of the transfer-time arrival, who was gradually introduced to English football through three moves from the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp (right) was full of praise for signing Ryan Gravenberch (left) in midfield on deadline day.
Jurgen Klopp (right) was full of praise for signing Ryan Gravenberch (left) in midfield on deadline day.
Gravenberch capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Anthony Moris, who saved Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot.
Gravenberch capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Anthony Moris, who saved Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot.
– He is enjoying the situation and regaining his confidence is very important, it is really great to see.
“We thought he could play 90 minutes, we wanted to give him 90, but we saw him drop a little bit so we took him off.”
Jota responded to Saturday’s sending off with two yellow cards – meaning he is banned for Sunday’s trip to Brighton – with his fourth goal of the season. – How should he feel about that? I knew it would be difficult. It (controversial defeat to Tottenham) is a long time ago and we are over it and so is Diogo. We are not children.
– Focus was not a problem focusing on the game, it was a focus in the game because it looked a bit like that. – We were a bit slow, I didn’t really like it, but it had nothing to do with the last game or last week. Regardless, that’s the challenge of football.
Two straight wins will move Liverpool two points adrift in Group E, and a win over Toulouse, who are two points behind, will seal a place in the play-offs in three weeks’ time. But it was far from the most free-flowing performance they’ve seen this season as they squandered several chances and began to lose their way in the second half. ‘(I liked) the beginning and the result. The goals, the opportunities we create. I didn’t like that we lost the rhythm after 25 minutes,” Klopp added. “It’s very difficult to keep the rhythm in games like this, but it’s important. We should have scored earlier, but we scored another in the break. – We should use our chances more often if we want to succeed in competitions, but I’m not angry or worried, that’s just the way it is. We know we have to do better.
Gravenberch has made just three starts this season but has clearly impressed his new manager
Diogo Jota added another in late added time after being sent off on Saturday
Diogo Jota added another in late added time after being sent off on Saturday
“It was a mature professional performance, we got the result we wanted, but we know we can do better.”
Union coach Alexander Blessin knew his side were in for it before a ball was kicked, but was disappointed they did not gain more confidence after keeping their hosts at bay for most of the first half. “In the end I’m proud of the team, but we saw Liverpool’s strength,” he said. “I felt the game changed (after Liverpool’s start) and in those moments you need that to go your way.”