Ryan Gravenberch has confirmed he hopes to stay at Liverpool for "years to come" and claimed he is "satisfied" with his first season on Merseyside.
Gravenberch joined the Reds from Bayern Munich for £40million last summer and started his career at Anfield brightly, forcing himself into the squad and then as a regular starter. However, the Dutchman sustained an ankle injury in the Carabao Cup final which hampered his progress.
He made 38 appearances - with 21 of those coming from the start - during his maiden campaign at Liverpool, scoring four goals and contributing with two assists. Gravenberch enjoyed more game time than he did in solitary season at Bayern, where he started just five of his 31 appearances for the club.
Although he considers his time at Bayern as a disappointment, Gravenberch believes his first season on Merseyside was a success simply because he played more.
Speaking while training with the Netherlands squad ahead of Euro 2024, Gravenberch told Algemeen Dagblad: "That's why I'm satisfied with my season at Liverpool (lack of game time at Bayern). I wanted to make more minutes and I succeeded.
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"I have played good matches, but also lesser ones. No, I'm not as tired as I am after a season where you've played everything. I haven't played everything. Can that freshness be an advantage? Well, I'm ready if you ask me. Anyway, first let's be part of the final selection."
The midfielder will have a new manager to impress when he returns to Liverpool for pre-season. After the departure of Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, Gravenberch's compatriot Arne Slot has been confirmed as his replacement.
"A top club, I hope to play here for years to come," he added. "And soon a Dutch trainer with Arne Slot. No, I've never spoken to him. Not even during my time as an player. But he is a trainer who likes attacking football. That should suit me, you would think. We will see."
Ryan Gravenberch made 38 appearances for Liverpool in his debut season (Getty Images)Gravenberch is now pushing for a place in the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 despite an incident with Ronald Koeman after withdrawing from Under-21s duty last September. He made the decision shortly after his move to Liverpool so he could focus on acclimatising to England.
That prompted the Netherlands to overlook picking him, up until Koeman included him in their preliminary squad for the tournament in Germany this summer. Gravenberch still stands by his decision to not play for the U21s, but has spoken to Koeman and now considers that situation closed.
He continued: "Because at that moment I thought it was necessary. I had a conversation with Ronald Koeman and I think it is closed. It will no longer play a role, otherwise the national coach will not call me for this internship, I think.
"I haven't booked a summer holiday yet. We will wait until the final selection. It's been a long time since I was here. I don't even remember exactly when I last took action. A minute against Belgium in September 2022? Go figure. But I'm back, that's the most important thing. And I'm still the Ryan Gravenberch from back then. The qualities are the same. And I want to show that here."
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