Ryan Gravenberch has revealed what Jurgen Klopp said to persuade him to swap Bayern Munich for Liverpool.
The 21-year-old had been a long-standing target and joined the Reds on transfer deadline day for £34million.
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Gravenberch saw game time limited at the Allianz Arena, starting just three Bundesliga matches last season, and opted for a move to Anfield.
“Before I came in, I spoke with the coach and he gave me a good feeling,” Gravenberch recently said.
“He said to me: ‘Yes, I want you’. And he gave me his plans and explained everything. He gave me such a good feeling that my decision was a fast one.
“Of course, I spoke a little bit with Virgil [van Dijk] too and he said that Liverpool was a top club and that I was going to play, for sure. So he said those sorts of things to me and that also gave me a good feeling to come here.
“I don’t think there was one particular player I was looking forward to playing with here at Liverpool but rather the whole team because I played against them with Bayern in pre-season in Singapore and they are a really good team.
“The club also added some excellent signings in the summer and also I think it’s not just about one big, big player. I think the whole team is good and that’s why I trust the whole team.”
Gravenberch also touched on the reasoning behind his shirt number, his first goal for the club, and the Liverpool fans.
He added: “My decision [to wear] the No.38 jersey was because I made my debut at Ajax in the 38 and when I went to Bayern Munich I chose that number again because I felt I had something special because I had made my debut for Ajax with it. I think I will keep wearing 38 all my life, so 38 is definitely my favourite number.
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“Scoring against Union SG in the last [European] home game was an incredible moment for me. Like I said after the game it might have been the easiest goal of my career but that didn’t matter.
“The fans have given me such great support since I arrived here and it has been great that they have given me such a good feeling so I want to give them something back.”
The Netherlands international made his official debut over the weekend as the Reds defeated Everton 2-0 at Anfield in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League with 20 points, three behind league leaders Tottenham.
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