Ryan Gravenberch has been one of Liverpool’s star players so far this season, having made the most of the Reds missing out on signing Martin Zubimendi in the summer. The Netherlands international has established himself as first-choice at number six following the arrival of Arne Slot, following a frustrating maiden campaign at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.

Such is his importance to the cause, he was taken off after 68 minutes in Liverpool’s 4-1 thrashing of Ipswich Town moments after the Reds had scored their fourth goal.

An ever-present in both the Premier League and Champions League, he has started all 30 of his appearances to date so far this season.

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Yet an emphatic win over the Tractor Boys enabled Slot to take him off early to rest his legs for only the second time in this English top-flight during the current campaign.

A £40m signing from Bayern Munich in August 2023, Gravenberch ultimately struggled for form during his first year with Liverpool as he made 38 appearances and started only 21 times.

But having witnessed his transformation first hand for the Reds, captain Virgil van Dijk is convinced that the best is still to come from a player he already considers to be world class.

"Last year he didn't play as much but we all could see his quality,” Van Dijk admitted to reporters, including the ECHO. “He kept his head down and worked his socks off.

“This year he's earned the trust and got the confidence to show his quality every three or four days. I've been very impressed with him.

"Not only on the pitch, but also outside the pitch. He's still a young boy but he's growing into a man. The way he approaches the game on and off the pitch is very key to being a world-class player.

“In my eyes, the consistency he's been showing, he's definitely a world-class player and he can only become better. He just needs to keep his head down, keep working, keep enjoying, he's in a very good place."

Van Dijk continued: "He learns from performances in games. He's been almost flawless throughout the whole season.

“If you think back to Newcastle away, it was a bit difficult first half against their midfield but he learned from that.

“Also how to approach games in terms of recovery, preparation for training, preparation for games, sleep. All the things you need to do to be a professional performing consistently.

“He's doing it in the right way. I'm proud of him and I'm pleased not only for him but also for us as well because he's a vital player for how we want to play and how we want to be successful.”

Meanwhile, Van Dijk believes fellow compatriot Cody Gakpo - who scored a brace against Ipswich - is thriving having to compete with Luis Diaz for a starting berth, having been restored to his favoured left-wing position by Slot following his appointment as head coach.

"Last season he was already doing very well,” he said. “Very important player. Having him and Lucho on the left wing is only a positive thing as they push each other.

"Cody is an outstanding professional with exceptional qualities. He's been showing it on a consistent basis - which is the most difficult part of football. We've been doing that as a team and Cody is definitely doing it."