Virgil van Dijk hails influence of Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch at Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk hails influence of Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch at Liverpool
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Virgil van Dijk has played a significant role in the vast majority of his 300 Liverpool appearances but conceded there were two other influential Dutchmen who were helping their current challenge for the Premier League and Champions League. The Netherlands captain registered his 209th victory as he brought up his triple century with a 4-1 success over Ipswich, by far the best win rate of anyone who has reached that landmark for the club.
However, the 33-year-old barely broke sweat against the 18th-placed visitors, who managed only seven touches in the Liverpool penalty area and three shots in 90 minutes. Instead it was compatriots Cody Gakpo – with two goals – and midfield anchorman Ryan Gravenberch who played key roles.
Gakpo scored twice, on target at Anfield for the sixth-successive game he had started, to make it 12 in the last 19 matches in all competitions, despite having to share left-wing duties with Luis Diaz. “He is a very important player, having him and Lucho (Diaz) is very good,” said Van Dijk, who planned to treat himself to a glass of red wine in recognition of his landmark game.
“They push each other. Cody is an outstanding professional with exceptional qualities and he is showing it on a consistent basis. “That’s the most difficult part of football, doing it every couple of days. Cody is definitely doing that.”. The consistency he is showing, he is a world-class player. He has been almost flawless this season. I am proud of him.
