Ryan Gravenberch's Rodri stance is a shock but it's working WONDERS for him

Ryan Gravenberch has revealed in an interview that he declines to study other holding midfielders such as Manchester City’s Rodri, and so far his approach is paying off for Liverpool.

So far the breakout star of the Reds’ season, Gravenberch has been imperious both in his form and the ability he has displayed to reinvent himself as a No.6 following Liverpool’s very public failure when pursuing Martin Zubimendi this summer.

There is little doubt that Gravenberch has been the lynchpin for the midfield this season, only being rested once in the first two months of the season during the Reds’ Carabao Cup win over West Ham at Anfield.

Now a newly-published interview that Gravenberch has conducted with the Mail reveals exactly how the Dutchman has been working on adapting to his new role, collaborating with fellow countryman and new coach John Heitinga.

"Not like a natural defending No.6"

Gravenberch said: “He showed me a few clips and John - I had him in Ajax so he knows me really well - I had chats with him about good positioning, where the ball can come and also about attacking wise where I have to stand.

“[So far this season] feels good but to be honest I have to adapt more because I'm not like a natural defending No 6. 

"I was like a more attacking midfielder so for myself I have to adapt more. I think the first games have been really good but I have to keep improving.”

The article goes into detail that Gravenberch does not study traditional No.6s like Rodri, wanting to be unique and redefine the role on his own terms, even if Rodri plays the position more traditionally and has thus established himself as one of the best players in the world.

Clearly Gravenberch doesn’t see himself as wanting to be a copy, and he’s been right to do so. The article states that this interview was conducting six weeks ago, and in the time between then and now he has kept improving and that desire to separate himself from his peers has paid off.