05 October 2023 , 21:57
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Ryan Gravenberch was elated after scoring his first Liverpool goal in their routine 2-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday.
The 21-year-old pounced on an error from goalkeeper Anthony Moris to strike home from close-range just before half-time. In the process, Gravenberch became the first Reds player in 21 years to score or assist in his first three starts, having joined the club for £34.2million from Bayern Munich in the summer.
Diogo Jota scored late on to put icing on the cake and seal all three points as Liverpool bounced back from last weekend's controversial defeat at Tottenham. As for Gravenberch, it was an impressive performance from the Dutchman and he was delighted to be able to contribute.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gravenberch said: "Yeah it was great. It feels super good, it was the best goal of my career so far I think! No, the easiest of my career." Gravenberch swapped Munich for Liverpool on deadline day and he believes the key difference since his move to Anfield has been his game time thus far.
The Dutchman played just 937 minutes across the entire 2022/23 season for Bayern last time around, compared to just 242 in six games for Liverpool to date. "I think the minutes," he added. "When you give a player minutes they get confident and that’s it."
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He received a standing ovation from the Liverpool crowd after coming off in the 79th minute for Dominik Szoboszlai and Gravenberch added: "I was very happy they gave me such a good feeling so I wanted to give them something back."
Gravenberch's first goal for the club comes after two assists in his previous two starts since his summer arrival. The midfielder set up Luis Diaz's strike in the first Europa League group stage game against LASK, and was also provider for Cody Gakpo against Leicester in the Carabao Cup. He becomes the first Liverpool player since Milan Baros in 2002 to score or assist in his first three starts.
Ryan Gravenberch celebrates after scoring his first Liverpool goal (Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp also praised his new midfielder following an impressive start to life on Merseyside. "He is a top bloke," the Liverpool boss said. "I am very happy for him. His time at Bayern wasn't the worst in the world but he feels 100 percent involved here.
"He can now get rhythm and he is very important for us. It wasn't the most difficult goals he scored in his life but we are all very pleased for him. A goal is a goal, they all count the same."
Liverpool, who have now picked up six points from a possible six in their Europa League group, are back in action when they travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.