Photo: Timmy96 / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
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Ryan Gravenberch has set his sights on taking a leadership role at Liverpool during the 2026-27 campaign, his fourth season at the club. The Dutch midfielder returned to pre-season duty in Chicago this week after representing the Netherlands at the World Cup.
Gravenberch, 24, is now working under a third different head coach at Liverpool, with Andoni Iraola having taken charge. The midfielder said he was impressed by what Iraola achieved at Bournemouth, where the Spaniard finished above Liverpool in the table last season.
"I want to be more of a leader now for the team, I think. So that's what my aim is this season," Gravenberch told the club in a Monday interview in Chicago.
The midfielder acknowledged last season was below expectations. "Of course, if I look back to last season, it was not the best season I had as well. And I want to show myself this season more and more," he said.
On Iraola, Gravenberch was positive. "Just the principles that he has, with the intensity he plays, what he did with his former club – he did a really great job. So, I'm really excited [for] what he will bring to the team," he said.
Gravenberch joined Liverpool three years ago and has described the squad atmosphere in pre-season as upbeat. He is targeting minutes in the upcoming friendly against Wrexham.