UEFA got something badly wrong at Anfield last night and 'ridiculous' Liverpool star should be upset - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Liverpool rode their luck at times on Wednesday before ultimately beating Atletico Madrid with another last-gasp winning goal.
After efforts from Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah in recent weeks, Virgil van Dijk got in on the act to head the Reds to three Champions League points.
Van Dijk has been brilliant this season, and was once again imperious against a tidy-looking Atletico side.
For his efforts in defence and, decisively, in attack, the Liverpool captain was handed the official man of the match award by UEFA.
However, as Van Dijk posed for the cameras with his little trophy, Ryan Gravenberch would be justified if he was feeling a little peeved at the decision.
Gravenberch was Liverpool’s best player on Wednesday night, and it is high time that the Dutchman is recognised by the wider footballing world.
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Gravenberch’s excellence was rightly rewarded by Liverpool supporters as they voted the midfielder as their man of the match against Atletico.
That followed on from an identical accolade on Sunday, when Gravenberch was imperious in the Premier League against Burnley.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Arne Slot admits something really surprised him about Alexander Isak’s Liverpool debut
But despite fans being left in no doubt that their No.
38 was key to the win over Atletico, UEFA’s decision-making panel overlooked him.
Former Everton man Leon Osman called Gravenberch ‘ridiculously good‘ against the Spanish side, as he dominated against Conor Gallagher and Lucas Barrios.
The 23-year-old even laid on a silky assist for Salah, but no matter how much he sparkled, Gravenberch was beaten to the prize.
Few will be keen to take Van Dijk’s award away from him, but after Gravenberch was also overlooked for a nomination in this year’s Ballon d’Or, there is a creeping feeling that the Dutch controller is becoming underrated outside of Anfield.
Interestingly, it is Alexis Mac Allister, not Gravenberch, who has become the accepted face of Liverpool’s midfield around the world of football.
The Argentine was indeed on the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, as well as the PFA Player of the Year, which Gravenberch also missed out on.
But while Mac Allister has had a difficult beginning to the season, his midfield partner has once again underlined what a talent he is.
Liverpool struck gold when they signed Gravenberch, and whether he’s alongside Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones, he regularly outshines them all.
Stunning back-to-back performances three days apart have got Liverpool fans raving about Gravenberch once again.