Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool have a player ‘in the form of his life’ who he’s always trying to pass to

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Liverpool supporters cannot get enough of Ryan Gravenberch’s brilliance at the start of this season.

Gravenberch has been transformed over the past 12 months, becoming one of Arne Slot’s most important players.

That importance was underlined on Saturday, as the Dutchman fired home a wonderful opening goal in the Merseyside Derby against Everton.

It was a wonderful finish from Gravenberch, who acrobatically volleyed past Jordan Pickford after making a good run into the box.

The 23-year-old then slipped an excellent pass through to claim an assist for Hugo Ekitike, before sweeping the man of the match awards.

Liverpool simply cannot do without Gravenberch at the moment, and captain Virgil van Dijk recognised as much post-game.

Virgil van Dijk hails ‘unbelievable’ Ryan Gravenberch

Gravenberch’s brilliance at Liverpool is nothing new by now. The Netherlands international was voted as the young player of the Premier League season last term.

Nevertheless, there is an argument that he is playing even better at the beginning of the new season.

READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberch made Merseyside Derby history for Liverpool against Everton as 34-year record tumbles

Van Dijk certainly seems to think so. In quotes from The Athletic on Sunday, the centre-back claimed that Gravenberch is now in ‘the form of his life.’

“Ryan is unbelievable. He’s very important to the way we play,” said Van Dijk. “You can see the number of times I try to look for him. It benefits him, me and the team.”

“He’s in incredible shape, in the form of his life. He has to keep going. He’s still so young. The expectation level will always be right up there and that’s what he has to try to reach every three or four days. It’s a nice challenge.”

Van Dijk also suggested why Gravenberch has been unlocked to score more goals, highlighting the job of Alexis Mac Allister alongside him in midfield.

‘Macca’ can obviously cover the number six position at times,” explained Van Dijk. “And because they try to go a bit man-v-man in the midfield, you have to try to take your marker away. Ryan did that outstandingly well. It was a great goal.”

Liverpool turned down Manuel Ugarte for Gravenberch

There is another little nugget of information along with Van Dijk’s quotes in The Athletic, which has been raised before but is worth mentioning again.

They reiterate that Liverpool were offered Manuel Ugarte before signing Gravenberch in the summer of 2023.

Ugarte went on to join PSG, struggling for the French side before moving to Manchester United, where he has also underwhelmed.

A more natural defensive midfield player on paper, the Uruguayan was the preferred choice of many fans at the time, but has gone on to look half the player of Gravenberch.

The scary part is that Liverpool’s No. 38 is still barely 23 years old. He may yet get even better. Scary times indeed, but not for us.