The general feeling around Liverpool's summer transfer window was that there were no winners. Fenway Sports Group took the usual heat from the fanbase as a singular signing in Federico Chiesa couldn't mask the failed attempt for Martin Zubamendi.
Liverpool's new head coach, Arne Slot, was adjusting to being under Jurgen Klopp's shadow, while people were questioning whether the playing squad was good enough to compete for the Premier League title.
One man has laughed at any thought that Liverpool would face a period of turbulence. Ryan Gravenberch has become a figurehead in the park, spearheading the red's exciting start under Slot.
There were questions over Liverpool's midfield at the start of the season. Alexis Mac Allister seemed the only certainty starter with Harvey Elliot and Dominik Szoboszlai fighting for the right-hand side spot.
The big glaring decision was who would be the dictator from deep. Wataru Endo was a fan favourite last season but did fade towards the end of the run-in and showed he couldn't be depended on for a whole season.
Slot made a brave call by pinning his hope on Gravenberch, and the former Ajax man thrived in an expressive number six position and glided past the opposition midfield.
Andy Robertson has joked how many man-of-the-match awards Gravenberch has picked up. Based on the Dutchman's start to the season, he may have bigger presentations to come.
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Progressing the play
Slot has implemented a style of play that has smothered the wildness Liverpool used to play with under Jurgen Klopp. It has been a transition to a more controlled style of play that suits Gravenberch's style of play.
This is due to the slower build-up from the back in which the red's no.38 has been involved in the passing sequence for some impressive team goals they have scored so far this season.
Liverpool's first goal of the season against Ipswich came from an impressive dribble and breaking away from the Tractor Boy's press. This opened the pitch up and allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold the time to find Salah with an incisive through ball.
The Dutchman took an incredible touch away from Manchester United's midfield gliding across the Old Trafford turf contributing to Alexander-Arnold's disallowed goal and was fundamental in Luis Diaz's opener.
Gravenberch's statistics back up an impressive start to the season, as he is the third-best-ranked player for carries with the ball and completing an average of 1.1 take-ons per game. This reflects when he is playing consistently and confidently, there is no stopping Liverpool's midfield general. Seven straight league starts for Gravenberch reflects the trust Slot has in his fellow Dutchman.
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Stopping the opposition
A notable difference to Liverpool's game is the amount of control they possess over the opposition. There isn't a basketball feel that Jurgen Klopp's rock-and-roll style of football leads to as Liverpool are giving away fewer chances.
A refreshing look at Liverpool FC this season is the jeopardy they have removed from their game. There is more emphasis on restricting Liverpool's opponent's moments in attack, which comes from taking less risk with the ball.
It is also about being smarter with the ball to create passing sequences across the backline. Liverpool has already played some underrated high-pressing teams, such as Brentford FC, AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
The fact that Gravenbech has only been dispossessed twice in seven games shows how he's bypassed pressure from the opposition to avoid giving the ball away. Being careful with possession has helped the league's best defence look more solid with and without the ball. With Arsenal being endlessly praised for their defence, Liverpool has been under the radar in how well they have contained their opponents.
Nottingham Forest's winner at Anfield came from a rare counterattack exposing Liverpool and Wolves' consolation effort was due to an error from Ibrahima Konate. This shows a concentration from Liverpool's dictator in the middle of the pitch to stop the opposition from flooding forward in attack.
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Change of formation leads to change of fortune
Klopp's famous 4-3-3 seemed the perfect fit for Gravenberch to thrive, but it simply didn't happen.
This may have been due to the lack of a set position, as the former Ajax man was shoehorned into different areas within the middle of the park.
Slot has introduced a more fluent 4-2-3-1 but there is still a foundation his side build from. Gravenberch is one of the deeper ones in a two-man pivot, with Mac Allister supporting him.
The former Ajax man performed this role at such a high standard in the Eredivisie that convinced Bayern Munich to sign him. It allows Gravenberch to progress the ball forward by connecting with the further advanced midfielders and attackers up front.
The compact midfield ahead of him has improved his passing game, as shown by his passing accuracy of 88.92%, which trumps both Mac Allister's and Szoboszlai's numbers.
Gravenberch finally has a home at Liverpool after dictating games with the comfort blanket of a midfield partner. There will be tougher tests ahead, but the 22-year-old has contributed to steamrolling the opposition's midfield and looks in the form of his life right now.
