Ryan Gravenberch has admitted that former Liverpool star Sadio Mane helped convince him to ditch Bayern Munich for a move to Anfield in 2023. The Dutch star had joined the German giants from Ajax in the same summer as Mane, who called it a day at Anfield in 2022. And, despite helping Bayern clinch the Bundesliga title, both players found their game time limited and they each only spent one season in Germany, having played together just 19 times.

Gravenberch only started six out of his 34 appearances for Bayern before he was snapped up by Liverpool in a deal potentially worth £40million on transfer deadline day in the summer of 2023. On the other hand, Mane made 38 appearances, netting 12 goals and providing six assists, but was deemed surplus to requirements after now England manager Thomas Tuchel took over. The Senegalese star subsequently moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in a £24m deal, but before he departed, Gravenberch has shed light on the pivotal role Mane played in his move to the Reds and the desperate times faced in the Bundesliga.

"Sadio is a really nice guy, a really nice guy," he shared with LFC TV in the latest episode of their 'A Day With' series. "When I was in Munich, I asked him also about Liverpool. If it was a good step for me, how the club was and everything. He said a lot of good things so in my head I was like, 'I have to go, I have to go!'". The Dutchman also touched on his interactions with former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and how the German ensured that his game time would be vastly improved by leaving Munich.

"I spoke at the time with Klopp, the gaffer, and he told me my chances would come for sure. 'You will get your minutes, you will get your chances, but then you have to show me if you are ready for it'. That was always in the back of my head. My only focus was, 'I have to show the Ryan Gravenberch again'.". Gravenberch further discussed how he struggled to adapt to life in Germany, adding: "I was born and grew up in Amsterdam, so I knew everything. I knew everybody. I went to a different country, a different city, where I didn't know anybody or anything.

"It was difficult but it was also nice to go out of my comfort zone. Ajax is a really big club but I think if you want to reach the top, top, you have to go to England, Spain or Germany to reach your full potential. "I didn't play a lot at that time (at Bayern Munich). I came from Ajax where I played everything. I was at the top of the group and then went to such a big club like Bayern Munich and saw other players who are really good and really big. You want to also play there but I didn't play a lot. It was a bit difficult, but I had my parents, I had a lot of conversations with them, and they kept me calm.

"(I learned to) always be ready. If you don't play a lot, when you then have to come in, it's really difficult because I didn't for like four or five games and then I'd come in for 20 minutes. I'd have to then show myself, but I hadn't played for a long time.". Under new head coach Arne Slot, Gravenberch has become a pivotal anchor in front of a relatively solid Reds defence and is now a first-team regular for the league leaders, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"I didn't play a lot and I didn't want to have another year like this," he admitted. "I knew I had to show myself. Sometimes you have to adapt to new club, new country, everything is new. Now I feel comfortable. I want to win titles with Liverpool. For sure the Premier League! I think that's the thing we have to achieve this season.". Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.