Liverpool kept their strong start to the season going with a comfortable 2-0 win over Bologna in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Bologna turned out to be tougher opponents than previously anticipated and it was not a perfect performance from Arne Slot’s men at home against the Champions League novices.
However, Liverpool managed to find the answers to the questions that were posed to them and Mohamed Salah scored in the 75th minute to seal the three points for the Reds.
The Egyptian attacker underlined his importance to the team amidst the contract tussle with the club but Gravenberch continued to grab the eyeballs with another superlative performance at the base of their midfielder.
Liverpool failed to sign the number 6 they wanted in the summer and Slot has managed to repurpose the Dutch midfielder into that role and he has already earned high praise for his consistent performances this season.
Rafael van der Vaart was mesmerised by the Liverpool star’s performance
Gravenberch dominated the middle of the pitch in the first half and controlled everything as the Reds imposed themselves on Bologna under the bright lights of Anfield.
Van der Vaart admitted that the Dutchman was the player to look out for in the first half in the way he was everywhere on the pitch and managed to get away from his opponents with his power and technical ability.
The former Premier League star conceded that Gravenberch has been beautiful to watch this season and was again mesmerising against Bologna on Wednesday night.
“He was the man of the first half”, Van der Vaart said on Ziggo Sport via Voetbalprimeur.
“He was in between everything. And the way he turned away, a kind of contortionist. The power he radiates.
“He’s just a beautiful player. Isn’t he great?”
Gravenberch is almost certain to start when Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
