Arne Slot's genius tactical move unleashed unsung hero behind Liverpool title success

When the news came it was devastatingly familiar, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise.

Having failed in transfer pursuits for fellow midfielders Jude Bellingham, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in recent summers, the news that Martin Zubimendi had rejected the chance to leave Real Sociedad for Liverpool was seen as a hammer blow for Arne Slot before he'd even got his feet under the table of his new desk. But how he handled it set the tone for this most impressive of seasons.

Far from demanding a different player be targeted, Slot, who has become just the fifth manager to win the league title in his first season in English football, simply rolled up his sleeves, looked at his squad and remembered just why everyone had been raving about Ryan Gravenberch when he was an emerging talent.

It wasn't that Gravenberch had had a bad season during his first campaign at Liverpool in 2023-24, it's just that no-one was really quite sure what he'd had.

The Dutchman started just 12 Premier League matches, and although he did catch the eye on occasion - one superb burst away from Rodri in a game at Manchester City stood out - he'd looked a little more at home in the slower pace of the Europa League.

With at least one or sometimes both of Wataru Endo or Alexis Mac Allister behind him, Gravenberch was free to roam and contribute to attacks in a way that wasn't always pretty, but could be effective. As Jurgen Klopp's final Reds signing, he was expected to be a useful member of compatriot Slot's squad, but not a vital one.

However, Slot's trust in Gravenberch to play as the deepest lying midfielder in his system, the No.6, has paid remarkable dividends. The former Ajax and Bayern Munich man has started every Premier League game in that position this season.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

And he's been superb, in the first half of the campaign in particular when his dominating midfield displays would often help the Reds turn the screw in matches.

Gravenberch has shown that the modern No.6 doesn't have to be a big, bruising figure who can only pass sideways and tackle everything that moves, but instead can be a player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and driving at the opposition.

He's not a small man of course, and his athleticism is one of the most impressive things about him, but his poise on the ball and terrific technique show just what Slot wants from a footballer. In many ways he's set the tone for this season.

Image: CameraSport via Getty Images) CameraSport via Getty Images)

He's not the only unsung hero in the title win of course. Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo's goals may pale into insignificance when you compare them to Mo Salah's, but they've still scored 31 between them in all competitions, and 19 in the league.

Ibrahima Konate has impressed alongside Virgil van Dijk at the back, Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones have all come to the fore at times, and Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a good season despite all the noise.

None of them has been as impressive as Gravenberch though, with the unlikely unsung hero proving that sometimes the best solution to a problem can be right under your nose.

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