Liverpool FC News: £34m Martin Zubimendi alternative impresses in Ipswich win

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has delivered his assessment of Ryan Gravenberch's performance after suffering the disappointment of missing out on a deal for Martin Zubimendi.

The Netherlands international, who arrived on Merseyside last summer from Bayern Munich for an initial £40m (£34m) fee, was selected to start as the deepest-lying midfielder alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai as the Reds began the new Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.

Taking into account Zubimendi had been identified to strengthen Liverpool's squad - presumably to operate in the number six role - there were plenty of eyes on Gravenberch to see if he could translate his pre-season form into an competitive arena.

And it's safe to say he played well - although Slot was quick to point out that the defensive responsibilities do not solely fall on his compatriot's shoulders.

READ MORE: Liverpool 'needed' 25-year-old to beat Ipswich

Arne Slot on Ryan Gravenberch

"Defending we do with 11, we don't do this with one player, so we need to help him as all the others in the position where he's playing in or where anyone else is playing in," Slot said in his post-match press conference.

"It's not that only Virgil and Ibou or only Virgil and Jarell [Quansah] are defending – the whole team has to do so. If we defend with 11, that will help Ryan or whoever is playing there a lot.

"Last season, Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] played there a lot and I think he has certain qualities that Ryan has as well. If you look at both players, the first thing you think of is with the ball, in ball possession and that's why we as a team have to make sure that whoever is playing in that position is not too exposed.

"That's what happened today because I think the team really helped to defend in the best possible way, and because of that Ryan had a good performance."

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According to Sofascore, Gravenberch made three tackles, won the only aerial duel he contested and was successful with five ground duels as he adapts to playing a little deeper in midfield after being used in a more box-to-box role under former manager Jurgen Klopp last season.

In possession, the 22-year-old was neat and tidy. Completing 51 of his passes at an 86% success rate and perhaps his role in Diogo Jota's goal has gone unnoticed as it was his sublime first touch to take out two Ipswich players, therefore setting Liverpool on the attack.

Tougher tests certainly await Gravenberch if he's to continue in this role, but so far he's taken to this new role with relative ease.