Is it simply the result of having another year to acclimatise to life in the Premier League, or is down to Arne Slot’s influence in the Liverpool hotseat?

When discussing the transformation of Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo from good players to great ones in this soon-to-be title-winning Reds squad, Liverpool legend Sammy Lee feels that the answer probably lies in both camps.

Following his £34 million move to Anfield from Bayern Munich back in 2023, Gravenberch certainly had his moments during Jurgen Klopp’s final year at the helm.

'He could become a great': Troy Deeney now thinks Liverpool have a player who can become a PL legend	Race for the CL: Forest under pressure as two points separates FIVE teams	Jamie Carrgher thinks Liverpool has delivered first 'knock' to Arsenal and Man City for next season

If Dominik Szoboszlai bangs the drums and Alexis Mac Allister tickles the ivories from the base of Slot’s central trio, then Ryan Gravenberch is the rhythm guitarist capable of flitting effortlessly from slaloming solos to feel-good funk.

This term, Gakpo has found the net against Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, while also setting The Reds on their way to the EFL Cup final during that semi-final trouncing of Tottenham Hotspur.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Lee, who accumulated 14 trophies during a decade at Liverpool, wonders if Gravenberch and Gakpo were always destined to reach new heights this term.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

Though the appointment of a fellow Dutchman in Slot – the former Feyenoord coach who came to know both players during his time in the Eredivisie – has certainly done very little harm to their respective development.

“[Arne Slot] has nurtured them.

“They may have been better players anyway, the second season in, but they are blossoming and flourishing now.

A lot of credit to the recruitment department because, recruitment is huge.”

Liverpool reportedly paid a combined fee of around £70 million for Gravenberch and Gakpo.

“Like a lot [of the Liverpool players], they have had a little bit of a dip of late.
For more news relating to Manchester United, visit our sister site MUFC Live.