Liverpool: Still a lot to come from Virgil van Dijk says Klopp
Liverpool beat Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea to the signature of Van Dijk in January 2018, with the Holland international moving to Anfield in a huge £75million transfer deal.
At the time, many thought the Reds had overpaid, with the deal for the Dutchman making him the world’s most-expensive defender.
Van Dijk has lived up to his billing at Liverpool, however, helping Jurgen Klopp’s side challenge City for the Premier League title.
The defender is primed to be named PFA Players’ Player of the Year, with the star fending off competition from Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk could have become a Man Utd player (Image: GETTY)
Liverpool beat Man Utd to signing of Virgil van Dijk in January 2018 (Image: GETTY)
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That is just the latest embarrassing transfer revelation emerging about United.
Their failure to go for Van Dijk when he was available is proof of a lack of cohesion and clarity at the top.
Uncertainty, too, seems to be rife.
The United of old would have swooped in without hesitation but, with the club’s structure failing to operate sufficiently, it exposes another change in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Meanwhile, BBC Sport pundit Alan Shearer has confirmed HE would vote for Van Dijk when it comes to the PFA awards.
“Here and now, I am giving it to Van Dijk, on the basis he has transformed Liverpool defensively and given them the backbone they need to go the distance in the title race,” he said.
“Defensively they have been so much more solid than they have been in recent seasons. In goal, Alisson has improved them too, but Van Dijk has been the big difference.
“He has just been a rock for them - a real man-mountain at the back with his organisation, presence and reading of the game.
“In games or situations where Liverpool have been under pressure, he has really stood out, because he has been so dominant - whatever the scenario, and whoever he is up against.”