Gravenberch Unleashes His Playbook: Liverpool’s Secret to Stopping Mbappe Ahead of a Real Madrid Showdown

Gravenberch Opens Up on Mbappe and the Real Madrid Challenge

Rayan Gravenberch, the Dutch midfielder lighting up Anfield, explained the secret behind his goalscoring moments—even from a defensive midfield role—ahead of a crucial Champions League test against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid visit Liverpool on Tuesday for a Group Stage clash. In the press conference, Gravenberch joked that he tries to listen to his father more often, recalling how he told him to shoot more, a habit he credited for a recent Aston Villa performance.

He stressed that every match matters and that the focus must now be on Madrid, with a clear message: take things one game at a time and stay concentrated.

Mbappe, Konaté, and the Manager’s Trust

Asked about stopping Mbappe, Gravenberch said Konaté knows the French forward well, and that talking with him can help prepare a plan. Mbappe is described as elite, finding runs behind spaces and arriving at the ball with speed, so suppressing him won’t be easy, but they will give it their best shot.

On his own future, Gravenberch added that he is happy where he is, though talks about renewal haven’t happened yet. He also praised manager Arne Slot, saying he’s grateful for the chance to be a regular starter and that the coach’s guidance has been instrumental in his development.

He also emphasized the need to respect the schedule, saying focus should be on the next match, not a weekend’s fixture, as two heavyweight tests—Real Madrid and Manchester City—approach.

Defence Holds Up and Salah’s Milestone

The midfielder noted that new signings are still adapting: joining a new club, a new coach, and new playing principles takes time. He stressed that patience is essential and that progress is visible after two months as the squad builds chemistry.

Liverpool’s resurgence was underlined by a solidity in defense, with Andy Robertson playing a full 90 in the league for the first time in 11 games, helping to secure a clean sheet against Aston Villa. Stats from Opta showed Villa created no real chances, underscoring Liverpool’s defensive discipline.

The backline, including Virgil van Dijk and Konaté, looked steadier with Robertson alongside them, while Conor Bradley delivered an eye-catching performance after an early patch of rough form, signaling his return to fitness.

Gravenberch’s own return from injury also boosted the middle to allow him to contribute physically and technically, winning several duels and finding the net once more. Alexis Mac Allister played a full 90 minutes for the first time in months, signaling improved readiness across the squad.

As Gravenberch has netted three goals in his last ten appearances—after enduring a slow start—his development signals a growing influence in the late stages of matches, especially in the central areas of the pitch.

In attack, Mohamed Salah delivered perhaps his best all-round performance of the season, not only contributing to goals but also linking effectively with teammates. Salah’s 250th goal for Liverpool makes him the club’s third all-time greatest scorer, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, a milestone Klopp saluted as a testament to sustained excellence.

Klopp highlighted Salah’s all-around contributions beyond scoring, including his defensive work and leadership on the pitch.

Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike showed willingness and pressing energy, even as touches were limited, illustrating the fine line new recruits walk as they integrate into the system.

As the match hour approached, Anfield’s stands erupted with Three Little Birds by Bob Marley—a symbolic nod to Klopp’s philosophy of fighting through adversity and rebuilding the club’s identity.

Looking ahead, Liverpool face Real Madrid in Europe and Manchester City in the league, with Slot’s side feeling ready to push for results on both fronts. The sense in the camp is that this is a turning point, with the squad building momentum and confidence for what lies ahead.

Punchlines: If defending well is a crime, Liverpool just earned a lifetime sentence—they’ve got the best alibi in town. And if my GPS could find the way to a clean sheet, it would probably still get distracted by a tasty pie on the way there.