Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has called on the in-form Ryan Gravenberch to “stay grounded” after the midfielder claimed yet another Player of the Match award in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Wolves.
Van Dijk also praised Ibrahima Konate, whose return to the starting lineup last month has contributed to Liverpool maintaining the Premier League’s best defensive record over the first six games.
Gravenberch shone once again in the midfield at Molineux, playing a key role in helping the Reds secure the win that moved them to the top of the table.
It was another standout performance in what has been a string of impressive displays from the former Bayern Munich midfielder this season.
Such has been the consistency of the ex-Ajax star’s performances that teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson humorously took to social media after the game to acknowledge Gravenberch’s growing collection of awards.
Despite the praise, Virgil van Dijk, who also plays alongside the 22-year-old for the Netherlands national team, urged his compatriot to remain focused and not get carried away as the season progresses.
“(My message is) stay fit, keep going, stay grounded, and don’t listen to the praise that much,” Van Dijk said.
“Just stay calm and play well. He is playing with a lot of confidence with and without the ball.
“He has not had a lot of injuries and he is growing into it. He is very important and (Alexis) Mac Allister Mac Allister and (Dominik) Szoboszlai as well.
“It is a good triangle and they are still growing and learning.
“We did better in the second half in my opinion. In the first half, we scored the 1-0.
“We controlled the game – we poorly gave a goal away – and that obviously could have been dangerous but we scored very quickly after that and that helps.
“They have to come out a little bit more and then there is a little bit more space to play.”
On Konate, Van Dijk added: “We need everyone to be at their best. Ibou is an amazing, fantastic player who can still be better.
“He is defensively solid and was a bit unlucky with the goal that we conceded but the qualities he has, he is outstanding.
“He is learning and he is growing, getting better and looking after himself much better, to be ready every three days — and also he has a young player behind him in Jarell (Quansah) who is also a good one, so they keep pushing each other.
“We have a very good squad – a mixture of experience and talent – and players who are at a very good stage of their career. So it is good to see the way we are playing.
“Mo (Mohamed Salah) was many times in the box and heading balls away and stuff and that is the kind of commitment we need from everyone.
“So far, so good. But it is only one game and we all realise that.
“Now we focus on the Champions League (Bologna at home on Wednesday).
“Do I pay attention to the table now? No. December is always a crucial month.
“The teams who go through that well, winning games and having no injuries, have a big chance to be successful.
“Let’s see.”
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