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If anyone involved in Bayern Munich's decision to let Ryan Gravenberch leave the Bundesliga side was watching as Liverpool played Everton this weekend, it would have made for uncomfortable viewing.
Indeed, anyone who has seen Gravenberch play at any point since the new campaign kicked off (and for the majority of the 2024/25 season too), it is baffling how Liverpool managed to sign the Dutchman for only $46 million (£34 million).
In the current context, that is a transfer bargain of huge proportions. And having not long turned 23, there is still lots more to come from Gravenberch, who has established himself as a key lynchpin in Arne Slot's Liverpool side.
"Not just this season, he's been playing like that from the moment last season started," Virgil van Dijk told reporters this weekend. "He's unbelievable. He's very important to the way we play.
"For me personally, 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."
Gravenberch won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for last season but he has reached another level with his performances in the early stages of the new campaign.
"I think [his role] changed a bit in that particular moment because Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) was on the pitch and he can obviously cover the number six position at times," Van Dijk said.
"Because they try to go a bit man vs man in the midfield, you have to try to take your marker away. He did that outstandingly well. It was a great goal.
"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 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 today."
Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a win, though Arsenal could move back within three points of the Reds again if it can beat Manchester City later.
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Maintaining its 100 per cent record and earning the bragging rights in the Merseyside derby, Van Dijk was pleased with the way his team performed after a period of three games in the space of eight days.
"Very good game," he said. "In the first half, we were outstanding in possession. Scored two great goals. In the second half, we were a bit sloppy at times and lost the ball in difficult places.
"We gave them a little bit of momentum. After they scored, we created some opportunities on the counter-attack to get a third goal.
"We could maybe have done a bit better, but in the circumstances, I'm very pleased with the performance. Now we recover and go home."
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