Virgil van Dijk spotted celebrating Ryan Gravenberch’s goal against Fulham before the midfielder had even taken his shot in Liverpool’s win at Craven Cottage

Virgil van Dijk was spotted celebrating Ryan Gravenberch‘s goal in Liverpool‘s victory against Fulham before the midfielder had even taken his shot.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side kept their Premier League title hopes alive with a 3-1 win at Craven Cottage, a result that moved them level on points with leaders Arsenal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning free-kick on his first league start in over two months to put the Reds ahead but Timothy Castagne levelled before the break.

Second half efforts from Gravenberch and Diogo Jota sealed the points, though, and capped off an improved display after a chastening fortnight for Klopp and Co.

Gravenberch had received the ball from Harvey Elliott on the edge of the box and after shifting it to his right boot struck a powerful effort beyond Bernd Leno.

Van Dijk rose his arms aloft before Gravenberch had even taken his shot before finding the net

Eagle-eyed punters also kept a close watch on Reds captain Van Dijk during the build-up, however, with the centre back seemingly celebrating too early.

But to the surprise of many around the stadium, Gravenberch’s fine effort hurtled into the net, handing Liverpool the lead in their must-win game in the capital.

Footage showed Van Dijk raising his arms aloft as Gravenberch was teed up by Elliott, showcasing his confidence his Holland team-mate would fire home.

Post-match, outgoing boss Klopp praised the visitors’ performance.  

‘For 80 minutes we played a really good game,’ Klopp told the BBC.

Gravenberch picked up the ball on the edge of the box before firing beyond Bernd Leno

Jurgen Klopp praised Liverpool’s performance after their victory kept them in the title race

‘I didn’t like the last 10 minutes of the first half and they got the goal. But that’s all right because I loved the second half.

‘We want to stay in that race, that’s clear. Arsenal won, Manchester City will win their game in hand, so we have to win games and that’s what we’ll try [to do].’

Van Dijk, meanwhile, played through the last two Liverpool games with a dislocated finger which was ‘pointing the wrong way’ when suffered.

The defender needed treatment in the first minutes of Liverpool’s game at Atalanta on Thursday and it can be revealed his finger had to be popped back into place.