'Best player': National media hail 'menacing' Liverpool player as the star of the show for his country last night

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Virgil van Dijk is, of course, the captain, while Cody Gakpo has been a leading light since the 2022 World Cup.

Ryan Gravenberch’s importance has grown since his ascension to the Liverpool starting XI last year, and Jeremie Frimpong is a key man too.

With Frimpong injured, Liverpool had only three Dutchmen starting during their World Cup qualifier against Poland on Thursday.

Although the Netherlands threw away a win late on to draw 1-1 with the Poles in Rotterdam, one of the Liverpool trio was hailed for the part he played.

Photo by Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images

Traditionally one of the powerhouses of European football, it has been a slightly difficult few years for the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, they are always competitive and appear to be getting better in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.

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Despite that, the national press were unhappy with Thursday’s result, with Koeman’s team conceding an 80th minute equaliser to Matty Cash, who cancelled out Denzel Dumfries’ opener.

One player who was safe from any ire, however, was Gakpo, who was handed a 7.5 rating from national outlet Algemeen Dagblad.

Gakpo is hailed as ‘the best player on the Dutch side’, looking ‘menacing’ as he probed for a way to put the game to bed.

The Liverpool winger tested goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski with an effort which had him scrambling, and is also said to have ‘broken down the Polish wall with his individual moves’.

Ultimately, it did not lead to anything, but his efforts are applauded nonetheless.

While Gakpo was impressing, it was also not a terrible night at the office for his Liverpool teammates, Van Dijk and Gravenberch.

Van Dijk is given a 6.5 rating, with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski reportedly posing him no threat at all.

Gravenberch, meanwhile, is said to have been another of the Netherlands’ top performers, handed a rating of 7 for his stint in the midfield.

As Liverpool fans will recognise all too well, the 23-year-old was claimed to have ‘made everything look easy’ against a defensive midfield set-up from Poland.

Ultimately, this was a disappointing night for the Netherlands, but Liverpool’s three Dutchmen can hold their heads high.