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."
Sky Sports Premier League, Cardiff City Stadium He may not want to take that risk here as Chelsea look to bounce back from their defeat at Everton two weeks ago, which would keep them within
Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham handed top-four boost as
Eden Hazard scores the winning penalty as Chelsea edge past Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 on penalties to set up an all-English Europa League final against Arsenal.
Chelsea beat Eintracht Frankfurt in shootout to reach Europa
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final A view of the advertisement of the 2019 Champions League Final in Madrid. Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Feb 06, 2019 · Eden Hazard's future at Chelsea seems in severe doubt after the forward admitted he has come to a decision about his next step, with a move to Real Madrid thought to be his preferred option
Hazard deserves Real Madrid move but boring Chelsea will be
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row December 15, 2018 Huffington News Huffington News Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v West Ham United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 15, 2018 Fulham's Neeskens Kebano in action with West Ham's Arthur Masuaku REUTERS/Dylan Martinez EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row
When Malaysia last faced Vietnam in the knockout stages, they won 5-4 on aggregate in the two-leg semi-final of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup. In the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final at the
Tamil Play News from Malaysia, Latest Tamil Play News from
news.trendingnews.co.in/malaysia/tamil-play
Get the Tamil Play News from Malaysia, Latest Tamil Play News from Malaysia, Trending Tamil Play News from Malaysia, Current Tamil Play News From Malaysia on trendingnews.co.in. Grab exclusive coverage on breaking national news, current politics, regional and educational news with trending now, most popular from Malaysia.
Jakarta Casual: October 2008
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours AFP January 12, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday.
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours
Jan 10, 2019 · José Mourinho, pictured at the Primeira Liga match between Vitória and Santa Clara in December, has ruled himself out of the Benfica job. Photograph: Rui Minderico/EPA José Mourinho has spoken
Football news- Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job
Wood double gives Burnley win over Cardiff in relegation scrap By Simon Evans Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley v Cardiff City - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - April 13, 2019 Cardiff Citys Bruno Ecuele Manga in action with Burnleys Chris Wood REUTERS/Andrew Yates BURNLEY, England, (Reuter
Soccer-Wood double gives Burnley win over Cardiff in
Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman said on Tuesday the club will pay the fee for striker Emiliano Sala if they are contractually required to do so. Sala had signed for the Premier League side and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on January 21.
Cardiff to pay Sala fee if necessary - Report | New Straits
Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp. 2019-03-05 18:36 which is very important in football. And
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp - Kenyan
Both matches will be played on the weekend of 6-7 April. The FA Cup semi-final draw. Manchester City v Brighton. Watford v Wolves. Watch all of the latest FA Cup highlights and reaction here
Manchester City to face Brighton in FA Cup semi-final while
team/media watch/2019/april/man city news transfer gossip tottenham champions league kevin de bruyne raheem sterling
Pep Guardiola said he was proud of his Manchester City players and the Club's supporters after our Champions League quest ended in heart-breaking fashion at home to Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hails players and supporters after agonising Champions League exit
What the papers said about Spurs' famous - football.london
LONDON (AFP) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Monday (Feb 26) following his side's defeat to Burnley on Saturday..
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham boss charged by Football
0 comments:
Post a Comment