Virgil van Dijk lays down new Ryan Gravenberch Liverpool challenge - 'Form of his life'
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Virgil van Dijk believes Ryan Gravenberch is in "the form of his life" at Liverpool as the captain highlighted the midfielder's importance for the Premier League leaders.
Gravenberch continued his excellent start to the campaign with another superlative display on Saturday lunchtime as Everton were beaten 2-1 at Anfield in the 247th Merseyside derby, becoming the youngest player to score and assist in the fixture at the age of 23 years and 127 days.
Netherlands star Gravenberch scored the opening goal by hooking home Mohamed Salah's pass before supplying Hugo Ekitike with a through ball for the hosts to double their lead before Idrissa Gueye's consolation after the break.
Van Dijk has been hugely impressed with his Oranje colleague's displays so far this term but also outlined how decisive Gravenberch has been more generally since Arne Slot arrived on Merseyside.
"It's not just this season, he's been playing like that from the moment last season started," Van Dijk said.
It's a nice challenge.
"I think it changed a bit in that particular moment because Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) was on the pitch and he can obviously cover the No 6 position at times.
It was a great goal.
"During his first season here he hardly played either.
I'm very pleased for him because he puts in a lot of hard work to do what he is today."
On the game itself, Van Dijk added: "It was a very good game.
Now we recover and go home.
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"I don't think you can expect any easy games in the Premier League.
Sometimes you have to fight and that's what we did in the second half.
"I'm pleased for Hugo.