Virgil Van Dijk: Liverpool captain lays down expectations for ‘unbelievable’ Ryan Gravenberch after Merseyside derby display

And Dutchman Van Dijk highlighted his compatriot’s importance to the team after his impressive start to the new campaign.

“Not just this season, he’s been playing like that from the moment last season started,” Van Dijk said. “He’s unbelievable. He’s very important to the way we play.

“You see the amount of times I try to look for him. 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 either. Listen, 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.”

The 23-year-old caught the eye last season as a holding midfielder but has ventured forward more regularly so far in 2025/26.

“For every player it’s the same, you need a team around you to show how good you are – I know we have a lot of good players,” Slot said.

“Both goals were in a similar area that we attacked, first with Ryan and second with Hugo (Ekitike), with the pace these two have. First half, it was a joy to watch.

“We had a bit of a warning before half-time when they had a shot on target, and the difficult thing conceding the 2-1 when you are 2-0 up, you are a bit in doubt.

“Normally we are not in doubt, we keep attacking. But we had better chances to score the third than the second.

“That’s the evolution of a team. You constantly try to do things that are really good, but other times try to adjust to us as well, so we need to constantly evolve and we have different players to last season.

“I wouldn’t say Ryan has freedom but he has the moments he can help the attack, but that has a lot to do with how the other team pressures. But he has a bit more freedom, yes.”

Gravenberch himself was asked about his increased attacking threat after the Everton victory.

“The coach has given me the confidence and this season we have more freedom in the midfield,” he said.

“Last season I was only the No. 6 and now I can go more forward, which is what you’ve seen today.

“I think my strength is also there, so I’m happy with that and also with the goal.”

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