**Virgil van Dijk believes Milos Kerkez is now showing his worth for Liverpool.**
Kerkez provided the assist for Curtis Jones’ opener as [the reigning Premier League champions downed Brighton](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/63771-liverpool-3-0-brighton-three-talking-points-curtis-jones-mohamed-salah-fa-cup/) in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie.
It was the Hungary international’s latest standout display in several weeks and marks a sea change from his initially tough start to life on Merseyside.
But Van Dijk, who plays closest to Kerkez in the Reds’ defensive line, believes that his resurgent form is a sign of him starting to bed in with Arne Slot’s side.
He said: “I think it’s pretty clear you definitely see an improvement.
“He’s still so young. He’s getting used to being a Liverpool player.
“It’s a lot more than just kick a ball on the pitch, especially when the team has been inconsistent it’s not easy to play your best games.
“But with the help of Robbo (Andy Robertson) and the rest of the team, and his own development, I think he’s making big progress.
“What I see is there is a lot to come for him to learn and improve but that’s a good thing. He just has to keep going.
“He has a lot of energy. He is young. When we were young we were always full of energy. He is eager to learn.”
As Liverpool captain, Van Dijk admits he held talks with Kerkez during his defensive cohort’s struggles following a £40 million move from Bournemouth.
“Of course I had chats because on the pitch we need each other, whether it is positioning or even today he presses as a full-back and I have to cover,” he added.
“It’s a collaboration that you obviously have to understand each other and me and Robbo had that for so many years.
“You still see that in our game and that is something that has to develop over games.
“But conversations are happening 100% behind the scenes and in games, like with the rest of the team, to try to be the best team and players on the pitch.”