The Reds entertain Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday having spent the international break on top of the Premier League, with Slot winning nine of his first 10 matches in charge to set a new club record

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Liverpool enjoying life under new boss Arne Slot

Few people had predicted the lightning start made by Arne Slot at Liverpool or the player who'd be at the heart of it - but Emile Heskey is one of them.

The Reds entertain Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday having spent the international break on top of the Premier League, with Slot winning nine of his first 10 matches in charge to set a new club record.

Key to those successes has been the form of Ryan Gravenberch, who was nothing more than a bit-part player in his one season under Jurgen Klopp but has grown into a leader for his fellow Dutchman Slot.

"I saw it coming last season; I saw a little burst of Gravenberch's potential," says Heskey, who scored 60 goals in 223 games for the Reds, winning six major honours.

"I think Arne Slot has come into Liverpool and put his arm around the player and told him that he believes in him, that he wants to build his midfield around him. Showing that level of faith in a player is the most powerful thing a manager can do. It's given Gravenberch the authority to be himself.

Gravenberch has been a revelation this season ( Image:

"He's been a really exciting piece of Slot's team. I think Slot deserves a lot of credit for being brave enough to give him this role in his team."

Although not a new signing, Gravenberch has been a key part of Slot's new-look Liverpool, who have surprised many by how quickly they've adapted to playing under their new manager. Heskey is impressed with what he's seen too, and says Slot deserves huge credit.

Heskey had a feeling the Dutchman would be in for a big season ( Image:

"Over the last nine years, Liverpool have been used to a certain brand of football. We were all very keen to see how Arne Slot was going to approach it tactically. He's brought something a little bit different to Jurgen while keeping some of the parts that made Liverpool so successful."

Emile Heskey was speaking via 10bet

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