Ryan Gravenberch issues loving response to Curtis Jones’ message
Arne Slot’s Liverpool are gearing themselves up to retain their Premier League title with a pre-season tour of Asia.
The Reds lost 4-2 to AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday, 26 July, despite goals from both Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.
Slot responded well to that setback, as Liverpool defeated Yokohama F.Marinos on Wednesday, 30 July, with Florian Wirtz getting himself on the scoresheet alongside youngsters Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha.
The Merseyside giants’ next pre-season test sees them take on Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday, 4 August.
Gravenberch reacts as Jones shares Liverpool message from Tokyo
Amid their pre-season duties, Liverpool are adjusting to Luis Diaz’s departure, after the Colombia international agreed on a move to Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones took to Instagram on 30 July as he wrote: “A day in Tokyo.”
Netherlands international Ryan Gravenberch showed his appreciation for his midfield partner by commenting with a red heart emoji.
Slot will want more from Gravenberch next season
Football Insider verdict
Gravenberch proved his worth for the Reds in the Premier League last season, helping them on their way to top-flight glory by making 37 Premier League appearances.
The 23-year-old was the Anfield side’s metronome in the middle of the park and helped Liverpool transition from the fast-paced style of play under former boss Jurgen Klopp to the possession-oriented ethos preferred by Slot.
However, Gravenberch failed to score for Slot’s men last term, having previously notched four goals in the 2023/24 season under Klopp.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s ambitious transfer activity shows that the Merseyside club are placing a heavy emphasis on their attacking output ahead of next season.
| Ryan Gravenberch stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 4 |
The addition of Florian Wirtz could see Szoboszlai operating in a deeper role, and Slot will consequently want to see a stronger goal output from Gravenberch.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have eyed Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, showing how much the reigning Premier League champions value firepower, even after signing Hugo Ekitike.
Elsewhere, Federico Chiesa has been backed to leave Anfield this summer in a Liverpool News 247 exclusive.