Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch believes that the consistency displayed by captain Virgil van Dijk over the years is “not normal”. Gravenberch put Van Dijk in his Dream Champions League 5-a-side team and praised the Liverpool captain’s high level of longevity.
Both Gravenberch and Van Dijk have played a pivotal role for the Reds this season under head coach Arne Slot. Liverpool have nine Premier League games remaining in their campaign with the potential of winning the league title this season.
The Reds are 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal and need to secure more than 15 points in the league. The potential accomplishment would make Van Dijk the captain to take Liverpool back to the most English league wins, equaling Manchester United’s 20 titles.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has played a pivotal role for Arne Slot this season.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has played a pivotal role for Arne Slot this season.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport while sharing his Dream UEFA Champions League 5-a-side team, Gravenberch praised the consistency of Van Dijk at Liverpool over the years. He said:
“I’ll have to go with Virgil van Dijk. I’m going with Virgil because I’m currently playing with him and you can see what kind of qualities he has on a daily basis. How long has he been playing at the top level? Seven years or so? Each year he consistently performs at an abnormally high level, it’s not normal, so Virgil I think.”
After a struggling first season at Liverpool, Gravenberch established himself as the first-choice number six under Slot. The 22-year-old has played regularly ahead of Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk, shielding the channels and dictating the game.
Van Dijk’s ability to act as a quarter-back provides Gravenberch a lot of leeway to express himself in midfield. Liverpool suffered a poor week before the March international break when they suffered elimination from the Champions League.
Furthermore, the Reds also lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United, making the Premier League their only potential trophy. Gravenberch and Van Dijk need to put the recent hiccups behind them and get the job done.
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At the same time, the duo and their head coach Slot deserve serious backing in the upcoming transfer market. With the right recruitments in the summer, Liverpool could muster a better challenge in the cup competitions as well.