Ruud Gullitt is impressed by how his fellow Dutchmen are performing at Liverpool
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Ruud Gullit has been talking Liverpool boss Arne Slot and his Netherlands compatriots Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo
Ruud Gullit has been talking Liverpool boss Arne Slot and his Netherlands compatriots Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo
(Image: Getty Images)
If Liverpool's stunning start to the season has been a result of a collective effort, it has a distinctly Dutch flavour to it. From new head coach Arne Slot, to captain Virgil van Dijk at the back, Ryan Gravenberch in midfield and Cody Gakpo up front, the Reds' Netherlands contingent on and off the field are certainly earning their money.
And the form of those players has caught the attention of one of the greatest Dutch players to play the game, Ruud Gullit, who dedicated words in his latest column for De Telegraaf to what's going on at Liverpool.
The Reds are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as well as sitting at the summit of the Champions League group stage and through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
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A big part of their success has been their trio of Netherlands internationals - as well as Slot - with perhaps the most impressive performer of the three being Gravenberch.
After arriving from Merseyside in the summer of 2023, the 22-year-old has truly found his feet under his compatriot - and AC Milan legend Gullit was fulsome in his praise.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle boss said: "Ryan Gravenberch is the revelation of the season. He is fulfilling his promise as a top talent from the Ajax academy.
“Bayern Munich came too fast and was too ambitious, just like for striker Joshua Zirkzee (who is now at Manchester United). After an adjustment period in Liverpool, Gravenberch’s qualities are fully appreciated under Slot. He can become the most important man for the Dutch national team.”
That is a big claim given the Netherlands are captained by the imperious Van Dijk, who has previously came in for criticism from Gullit. But the Reds' skipper's current form has now brought plaudits from the pundit. Gullit said: "After a difficult period and criticism in the Netherlands and England, he has recovered well.”
Gakpo, meanwhile, is in the form of his Liverpool career, scoring six goals in his last eight matches including key strikes in the 2-0 wins over Manchester City and Real Madrid last week.
And Gullit said: “Gakpo is often decisive for the Dutch national team with his goals. At Liverpool you see him getting better and more decisive every week.
“In the beginning, it was up and down. Starting again, then reserve again, but Slot increasingly positions his team in such a way that he can make room for Gakpo in the starting line-up.”
Slot has won 18 of his first 20 matches in charge of the Reds and Gullit is clearly impressed, saying: “(I’m) curious where Arne Slot’s masterclass will end. In any case, Slot is paving the way for Dutch coaches abroad.”