Virgil van Dijk declares Ryan Gravenberch is ‘in the form of his life’ as Liverpool star makes Merseyside derby history
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Virgil van Dijk has praised Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, declaring him to be in the form of his life following Liverpool's 2-1 victory over local rivals Everton in the Premier League. Van Dijk described Gravenberch as "very important to the way we play" and expressed delight at the midfielder’s progress at Anfield. He highlighted Gravenberch's hard work and consistency as key to his performances, stressing that he still has room to improve as a young player. Van Dijk encouraged him to maintain his high standards every few days, calling it a "nice challenge" for the 23-year-old[1][2].
Gravenberch was instrumental in the win, scoring the opening goal and assisting the second, helping Liverpool maintain a perfect record after five league matches. Since joining from Bayern Munich for around £34.2 million in September 2023, Gravenberch has become influential both defensively and offensively, recording two goals and two assists in five appearances across competitions this season[1].
His form has been consistent since last season when Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, converted him into a defensive midfielder (number six). This tactical shift made Gravenberch a vital part of Liverpool’s play, filling a role Liverpool had unsuccessfully sought to reinforce with other transfers. Van Dijk called him "unbelievable" and emphasized Gravenberch's importance to Liverpool's playing style and recent successes[2].
Despite Liverpool conceding a second-half goal from Everton's Idrissa Gueye that made for a tense finish, Van Dijk remarked on the competitive nature of the Premier League, acknowledging that not all wins are comfortable and praising the team's fighting spirit to secure the victory[2].
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