Ryan Gravenberch explains Liverpool plan for Kylian Mbappe and addresses contract claim

Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch hopes a little inside knowledge from Ibrahima Konate can help Liverpool halt Kylian Mbappe's remarkable scoring run.

The Reds entertain Real Madrid in their fourth game of the Champions Leagueopening stage on Tuesday evening in a rematch of last season's encounter in the competition, which Liverpool won 2-0.

Mbappe missed a penalty that night and, despite at that point having netted nine goals in his first 18 games since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain the previous summer, there were question marks in Spain over his suitability for the European Super League advocates.

The France international has subsequently responded with an astonishing 53 goals in 55 appearances for Real Madrid, with Gravenberch admitting he will be among the players Liverpool must stop.

“Ibou knows him very well, so you have to speak to Ibou about this maybe!" said the midfielder when asked how best to negate Konate's compatriot.

"We know he is a top, top player, with really good quality. He can play in behind, he can come in the box, he is a good finisher. It will not be easy for us but we will try to stop him and do everything.

"Real are doing really great this season, the whole team but in particular if you see Mbappe or Vinicius on the left and when they go in behind, it is a strength from them. We need to be spot on tomorrow."

Gravenberch returned to the Liverpool starting line-up at the weekend after three games out with a twisted ankle and scored his third goal of the season in the 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa.

The Holland international failed to net once last campaign, and of the change in fortune he explained: "I think I listened to my dad more this season!

"He always say you have to shoot more, shoot more, shoot more and we see what happens. When I shot against Villa it got deflected and went in. I have to shoot more.

“Of course, he watches every game. Obviously I have always conversations with him about where I can do better so I listen to him a lot."

The game marks a first return to Anfield for former Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after switching to Real Madrid in a deal worth £10million in July.

And asked about the reception the England international could receive,

Gravenberch said: "From the fans, I don’t know. But when I see him he is obviously a friend of mine so I will give him a hug, of course.

"Have we exchanged messages? Not a lot, not yet. But it's nice to see him tomorrow."

There had been recent suggestions Gravenberch was in talks over a new contract. But he said:

Gravenberch

"Obviously I am happy here so we have to see. We haven't talked yet but we will see."

Liverpool are still adjusting to a raft of new signings in the summer when almost £450million was spent to overhaul the squad, with Gravenberch explaining the issues facing the incoming players.

"We try to do the same things but for the new players it is not always easy, they come to a new team with a new coach," he said. "For them it is not easy to come here and immediately do everything good.

"I think it can be both ways, such things take time, you are not always very good from day one. We will see in a few more weeks and months."

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