News'Ryan is unbelievable - he's in the form of his life'

Netherlands international Gravenberch was voted the Reds’ Player of the Match for the third game in a row having delivered a goal and assist in the 2-1 defeat of Everton.

The No.38 opened the scoring in the Premier League clash at Anfield with a sublime finish, hooked over the goalkeeper from an angle upon breaking forward to reach Mohamed Salah’s pass.

Gravenberch then switched to creator, threading a ball into the run of Hugo Ekitike to sweep in Liverpool’s second goal of the afternoon.

An integral figure in Arne Slot’s side’s title triumph last term, he earned particular plaudits from his club captain at the weekend.

“It’s not just this season, he’s been playing like that from the moment last season started,” Van Dijk said of Gravenberch.

“He’s unbelievable. He’s very important to the way we play. For me personally, you see the amount of times I try to look for him [for a pass]. 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. 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.

“During his first season here he hardly played. 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.

“I’m very pleased for him because he puts in a lot of hard work to do what he is doing.”