Virgil van Dijk makes bold prediction for two Liverpool teammates after receiving honor

Virgil van Dijk has made a bold prediction for two of his Liverpool teammates, who he is backing to reach the very elite levels of the game in the coming seasons

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is interviewed(Image: Oliver Hardt - UEFA via Getty Images)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has tipped two of his club teammates to establish themselves as world-class, best-in-class players in their position in the next few years.

In a video for FIFPro, after being named in its World XI for 2025 a few months ago, Van Dijk was asked which players he thought could be next to make the illustrious team. In response, he thought carefully before selecting Liverpool teammates Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch, the latter of whom he plays alongside for the Dutch national team, too.

Wirtz has starred for Liverpool in recent weeks, scoring two Premier League goals in his last three games. The German is likely to start against Arsenal on Thursday, where he will look to continue that good form.

Gravenberch, meanwhile, was sensational for Arne Slot in his first season at the club. He was moved into a deeper role, where he excelled almost immediately, and has regained some form in the last month or so.

Ahead of the visit to Arsenal, Van Dijk told reporters that he is looking forward to the game at the Emirates Stadium. It could be the biggest test Liverpool faces this season.

"First of all, we will recover from this, but from Tuesday on, we will definitely look at the strength that they have," Van Dijk said. "They have a fantastic squad with players on the pitch and also coming from the bench.

Ryan Gravenberch is becoming better and better(Image: Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images)

"Listen, we all know at home they are unbeaten this season, I think, in all competitions. So it is a nice challenge, and we should be ready for a big fight.

"I'm really looking forward to it, and I think everyone should. That is the only way to try and get a result over there.

"There is no reason to not being looking forward to it, in my opinion. Another opportunity, but first recover and then we'll focus on that."

Arne Slot is expecting a difficult game with Arsenal, where the Reds drew 2-2 last season when Mohamed Salah scored a late equalizer when he was teed up by Darwin Nunez.

"Their main strength is that they have so many strengths," Slot said in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

"They hardly have any weaknesses, hardly concede goals. They can score from open play, set pieces, have very good ideas about build-up. They are the complete package, and they deserve to be on top."

Liverpool.com says: Wirtz and Gravenberch could be vital in the next few months. As Liverpool looks to get closer to its peak and ensure that it is ready for the start of next season, the pair being in form will go a long way to making that happen.