Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United perhaps threw up more questions than it produced answers. One thing the chaotic, end-to-end thriller crystallised is that Ryan Gravenberch is going to be a vitally important figure for the Reds this season.
Curtis Jones is now gone, and the Dutchman is going to be handed a huge amount of responsibility at the base of the Reds' midfield. Andoni Iraola's first-choice three features Gravenberch alongside Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai, it remains to be seen where Alexis Mac Allister fits into this, but that is a very attacking trio. Newcastle United were able to exploit this weakness, scoring two rapid counter attacking goals, an issue that was something of a theme throughout last season too.
Speaking to the assembled journalists in the mixed zone after full time at St James' Park, this is what Gravenberch had to say when asked if he feels new signings are needed:
"Yeah we will see in the end what the club will bring to us, but I think in the end also this squad can be really good so I think we only have to look forward and next week we have to stand there again... if the club wants to bring more, let's see. "Ryan Gravenberch
The midfielder added, when asked what it is going to take for Liverpool to perform better, "I think we can organise better, also myself in the end I can do better", clearly acknowledging the part he played in Newcastle's two goals, while recognising it is a team-wide issue.
An electric start!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 23, 2026
Anthony Elanga gives Newcastle the lead inside 5 minutes! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/8DYYFJ9i6F
The most interesting quotes that Gravenberch's interactions with the media produced though were about Liverpool's new head coach. He was asked how different it had been working under Iraola compared to Slot and stated this:
"I don't really like to compare managers, because Arne was a good manager as well. Now with Andoni, I think the intensity is a bit more higher, we go a lot man to man so I think that's the most different... it's the first game of the season of course, we have to adapt to each other, learn from each other."
"I think we are ready but I think we are not there yet, what the coach is asking from us in terms of his style because he is here for only one month now. So we get more used to it and I think you will see the best of it if you give us a bit more time. "Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch is calling for patience but, after last season's fifth place finish, far better is demanded. So, will the club hierarchy deliver more players before the window slams shut next Tuesday? The fact that youngsters James McConnell, Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas were all on the bench on Tyneside served to underline their current lack of squad depth. However, when that was put to Gravenberch, he diplomatically and calmly answered "I think also on the bench we have good players".
Nevertheless, if the Reds are going to play the high intensity style Iraola wants, and that his Dutch midfielder has teased, they are going to require a bigger squad, so will any new recruits arrive in the coming days?
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