LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Virgil van Dijk returns to his former club Southampton on Friday (April 5) with a growing reputation as one of the most influential figures in the Premier League title race between his Liverpool side and Manchester City.
For all their attacking threat, Jurgen Klopp's men owe a huge debt to their Dutch defender, signed from Southampton 15 months ago for an eye-watering £75 million (S$134 million) fee, the size of which raised eyebrows.
But now the investment looks one of the wisest in recent Premier League history, with one Van Dijk moment in particular, during the weekend win over Tottenham, being held up as an example of his peerless form.
With the game finely poised at 1-1 at Anfield on Sunday, Tottenham had a two-on-one break, featuring Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-min against the Liverpool centre-half.
Van Dijk took the decision to leave Sissoko with the ball, forcing him into a shot that the nervous Tottenham man missed hopelessly, paving the way for Liverpool to snatch a dramatic last-gasp winner.
"Of course," said teammate Andy Robertson when asked if that one moment showcased Van Dijk's skills to their utmost.
"He made the right decision there. Look, it's getting to the point of the season where both teams wanted to win it. If it's maybe in the first month of the season, it probably sees out as a 1-1 draw.
"But they're fighting for Champions League spots and they needed three points and we needed three points. That's why we brought on extra attackers and we went for it and tried to get the three points and luckily we did.
"But these situations are going to happen. We're maybe going to get a wee bit exposed at the back but there's nobody better to deal with it. Luckily we got away with one there and they've not got away with it."
Robertson was not the only admirer following the Dutchman's role in that victory and, with every passing week, the case for Van Dijk to be named as the Premier League's player of the year is gaining momentum.
Liverpool's protracted bid to sign the defender from Southampton, which had been thwarted the previous summer, was met with disbelief by many as he became the most expensive defender in the history of the game.
But his displays last season, in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final, answered many of the doubters and Van Dijk's form has, if anything, been even more impressive this season.
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling is another strong candidate for the end-of-season individual awards but Van Dijk has made a strong case and the only slight concern for Klopp after the Tottenham victory was the sight of his key defender using an ice pack on a muscle injury after the game.
However, concerns he could be a fitness doubt for the return to his old club were quickly dispelled when Liverpool showed footage of the 27-year-old taking part in a full training session on Wednesday.
"He's so important to us not only as a player but as a person. I couldn't say a bad word about him even if I wanted," said Klopp.
"Yes he has improved us and he has improved since he came here as well. He is a different player to when he was at Southampton. Champions League quarter-finals, semi-finals and final help you as a player."
World Football. May 4, 2019 / 4:31 PM / 25 days ago Soccer-Atletico slump to biggest defeat of season against ruthless Espanyol (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid fell to their heaviest league
Harry Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes Racist chanting was directed at several black England players, during Monday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Montenegro. Share Via Email
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes - sports.yahoo.com
Iran and Iraq are neighboring countries, sharing a long history. In the contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had bad relations and fought the Iran-Iraq War for 8 years. In 2001, for the first time in decades, an Iran-Iraq match was not held at a neutral venue.
Iran - Football - BBC Sport
Aussies power to Perth Test victory. The very factors that had been tipped to decide this second Test before a ball had been bowled in anger. Fourth Test, SCG. Australia squad: Tim Paine
Post-scandal Australia 'grit' hailed after 'best win' for decades
Ajax Amsterdam took a massive stride towards a first Champions League final for 23 years as Donny van de Beek's early goal earned a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their semifinal
Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham in Champions
Captain's unfinished business. Liverpool's Jordan Henderson has already accomplished something England's so-called Golden Generation never did and played in a World Cup semi-final.
Deadliest Catch: Unfinished Business - tv.com
London-born Nico Yennaris said he was "very proud" after becoming the first foreign-born footballer to represent China in their 2-0 victory over the Philippines on Friday. The former Arsenal and
Mar 30, 2019 · Burnley boost survival hopes on landmark day for Sean Dyche with vital victory over Wolves Save called up the 19-year-old winger to train with his full squad before the win over the Czech
Burnley boost Premier League survival hopes with win over
Time to be honest and rightfully apportion blame for Arsenal
The wife of Spain's World Cup-winning captain Iker Casillas, Sara Carbonero, has announced that she has undergone surgery for cancer just three weeks after the goalkeeper suffered a heart attack.
Football: After goalie Casillas' heart attack, wife Sara says
virginiabus.info/sports/football-after-goalie-casillas-heart-attack-wife-sara-says-she-has-had-ovarian-cancer-op/
MADRID (REUTERS) - Sara Carbonero, the wife of Spain's World Cup-winning football captain Iker Casillas, has announced that she has undergone surgery for cancer just three weeks after the goalkeeper suffered a heart attack.
Soccer-After Casillas heart-attack, wife says she has had
Burnley moved five points clear of the relegation zone after a 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Burnley boost survival hopes with 2-0 win over Wolves Asked if Wolves
Football: Burnley boost survival hopes with 2-0 win over Wolves
Antonio Conte has been named Inter Milan manager, replacing the sacked Luciano Spalletti. The 49-year-old returns to work in Italy after being dismissed by Chelsea at the end of last season. He
Antonio Conte named as new Inter Milan manager | Sports News
SINGAPORE - Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Lim Kia Tong revealed that the plans for the S-League revamp helped the competition retain its professional status, and prevented it
Soccer_uefa_europa nyheter, resultater, tidsplan
Football: PSG thrash Dijon in first outing since Champions
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen