Van Dijk: Gravenberch 'in form of his life'

"Not just this season, he's been playing like that from the moment last season started. He's unbelievable. He's very important to the way we play."

"You see the amount of times I try to look for him. It benefits him, me and the team. He's in incredible shape. He's in the form of his life. He has to keep going. He's still young."

"During his first season here he hardly played either. Listen, it's a mix of everything: getting confidence, progressing and improving as a player, playing games at the highest level and knowing your role in the team."

Ryan Gravenberch has emerged as a crucial midfielder for Liverpool after being converted to a number six by Arne Slot. He became the youngest player (23 years and 127 days) to both score and assist in a Premier League Merseyside derby, helping extend Liverpool's perfect start. Strong performances, including a Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, have followed his increased role. The £34 million signing from Bayern Munich has shown confidence, consistency and hard work, overcoming limited minutes under Jurgen Klopp. Virgil van Dijk praised his form, importance to the team and ongoing potential for improvement.

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