Cody Gakpo was left in awe of Virgil van Dijk as the Liverpool captain pulled off a barely-possible training exercise during a first-team gym session.
The Dutch forward claimed the defender was "leading by example" in a clip uploaded to the club's social media channels on Friday afternoon as the Reds stepped up preparations for Sunday's clash with Brentford .
The video captured members of Liverpool's squad inside one of the buildings at the AXA Training Center, with the likes of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai also on show as the group conducted a series of workouts.
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The most notable of the lot, however, was Liverpool's captain, who was really putting himself to the test with a strenuous exercise to help improve his upper body strength.
At the start of the video, which was uploaded onto Liverpool's official X (formerly Twitter) account, Gakpo is seen pointing towards Van Dijk as he says "leading by example", before the camera pans to the defender working out on the floor.
Even Jones chimes in by saying "that's why he's captain" as the 33-year-old straps himself into a weighted black vest that's used as part of the workout. The Netherlands international is then seen in the plank position, balancing himself on a medicine ball before lifting himself up, rolling it to the other hand and repeating the exercise.
While it may look easy to some, it can be assured that Van Dijk is putting himself through his paces throughout, maintaining perfect concentration on the task at hand so as not to slip up. Unsurprisingly, however, he makes it seem effortless.
The video then ends with Van Dijk finishing the workout and rising to his feet, before staring directly at the camera looking very proud of himself. In the background, Gakpo can be seen picking up one of the vests as if to have a go himself, although we're not entirely sure he did.
Nonetheless, Liverpool's players are working hard ahead of Sunday's clash with Brentford at Anfield , with the Reds aiming to make it two wins from two games to start the season under new manager Arne Slot .
Van Dijk started last weekend's 2-0 victory at Ipswich alongside Jarell Quansah , although it's looking likely that the youngster will be replaced by Ibrahima Konate for the visit of the Bees, having picked up an injury during training in midweek.
As for Gakpo, he featured off the bench for the Reds at Portman Road, although he will be aiming to steal a starting spot from Luis Diaz on the left-wing after the Colombian was preferred by Slot last weekend. Even if he doesn't start, Gakpo will be likely to come on as a second-half substitute.
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