Virgil van Dijk: Don’t be surprised if the defender joins Barcelona or Real Madrid if Liverpool fail to win the Premier League

Virgil van Dijk: Don’t be surprised if the defender joins Barcelona or Real Madrid if Liverpool fail to win the Premier League
Liverpool may have been held to a goalless draw by neighbours Everton, but once again Virgil van Dijk was the most impressive player on the pitch.Almost every attack from the Toffees was thwarted by the defender and ensured Liverpool kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League.6

Van Dijk in action against Everton

It is the latest in a long line of excellent displays from Liverpool’s main defender and we take a look at what makes Van Dijk so good.

---

What do Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Joshua King, Troy Deeney, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Cenk Tosun all have in common?Yes, they are all strikers, but their playing position is not the only thing they share.In the past five matches, each man, at one point in time, has come up against Van Dijk. None have managed to get beyond him.Against Everton on Sunday, Liverpool kept their 17th clean sheet of the season. Unsurprisingly, Van Dijk was named Man of the Match.“Van Dijk’s performance today was unbelievable,” Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.6

The Dutchman dominated on Sunday

“He looks like a man playing in a kids’ game. He’s playing against some of the top players in European football in the Premier League, but everything is so easy.“You actually feel like he’s not getting tested enough. You still feel like there are more gears for him to go into.”This is by no means a way to deride his opponents, its just Van Dijk makes defending look simple, in a classy, artistic way, regardless of who he is up against – the best do that.The atmosphere inside Goodison Park for the 233rd Merseyside derby was a given. Air raid sirens rung around the stadium pre-match, before their traditional anthem of Z Cars greeted both teams.Its purpose was to intimidate and rattle their neighbours.It worked. Liverpool looked ruffled; the cutting edge they had displayed in the 5-0 midweek thrashing over Watford was absent. Mohamed Salah was the main culprit.6

Van Dijk has made Liverpool’s defence solid

While the pace was frantic and his forwards were rushed, guilty of making poor decisions, Van Dijk, as ever, was a figure of calm.Unmoved by Evertons attempts to threaten, the Dutchman dominated aerially and on the ground. Calvert-Lewin and then Tosun failed to disrupt his rhythm.While he may be Jurgen Klopps third-choice for captain behind Jordan Henderson and James Milner, Van Dijk is undoubtedly a leader, not the vocal kind, but one whose example will be followed through his actions, his laid-back attitude can sometimes mask a quiet confidence.Groningens reserve team coach Dick Lukkien recalled Van Dijk stating his eventual goal was to play for Barcelona.I have confidence in myself and I know what I can do, he said.Gerard Pique was his role model too; he cited his abilities as a footballing defender. This was said only after making his debut for the club a year earlier.6

Van Dijk impressed in two seasons at Celtic

His progress was monitored by a number of European sides, but in the end, Celtic won the race. There, Van Dijk took his and the Scottish sides game to another level, he was named their player of the year in 2013/14.Again his stay was brief, two years exactly, Celtic had acted as the perfect platform to springboard him to the Premier League.He had to move on, and he left with everyones blessings, he says.I truly felt Southampton was just another stepping stone, and didnt think for one minute that hed stay for four or five years, said former team-mate Kris Commons.Im thinking Real Madrid or Barcelona could be next, he added.I rate him alongside Sergio Ramos. Liverpool is a massive club, but in terms of getting players, Madrid and Bara are above them.6

Van Dijk wuld not look out of place if he joined Real Madrid

Such claims could have once been met with scepticism. Eyebrows were raised with curiosity when Liverpool made him the most expensive defender ever in January 2018 at a cost of 75million.A year on and the figure is considered a bargain, Van Dijk has made a notable difference to Liverpool, played in a Champions League final and is captain of his country.His understanding of the game and technical gifts are a throwback to the Dutch playing centre-backs from the heralded era of Total Football in the 1970s.At 27, Van Dijk is entering his prime years as a defender. Fabio Cannavaro was 32 when he won the World Cup and then named FIFA World Player of the Year. His performances earned him a move to Real Madrid.While Van Dijk does not boast a trophy cabinet quite like the Italian, it is not inconceivable to imagine him smiling and waving to supporters as he does kick-ups, before accurately booting the ball into the stands, at those in the Bernabeu, lucky enough to have caught a glimpse of their new defender dressed in the famous white kit.6

Could Van Dijk leave if Liverpool failed to win the league?

Ramos is 33 later this month and while he is undeniably a club legend, his performances have been indifferent this season, the Panenka penalties a new addition, the controversy not.Van Dijk marshalling the Real defence alongside Raphael Varane at some point in the future would certainly be an impressive combination.His idol Pique put in a defensive masterclass alongside the equally impressive Clement Lenglet for Barcelona on Saturday night in El Clasico.Van Dijks bold prediction several years earlier may well prove accurate further down the line.His trajectory to the top has been strategic, well planned. History has shown he usually spends two years or so at a club before moving on and moving up. Each time the transition has been effortless.Dont be surprised if that continues.

---

Feb 05, 2019 · Jurgen Klopp could face FA charge over referee comments after Liverpool draw Save Jürgen Klopp was not happy with Kevin Friend in the 1-1 draw with West Ham Credit: PA
Jurgen Klopp facing FA charge for comments after Liverpool's

---

Burnley man Ashley Barnes KISSES Cardiff's Joe Bennett during Premier League clash, both players yellow carded. both players received a yellow card in the incident.
Burnley man Ashley Barnes KISSES Cardiff's Joe Bennett during

---

Antonio Rudiger has revealed he is not in talks with Chelsea over a new contract. The defender had been rumoured to be thrashing out a new deal with the Blues, but the German insists he is happy
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger not in talks over a new
brandsauthority.com/chelsea-defender-antonio-rudiger-not-in-talks-over-a-new-contract-football-news/
By PA Sport Last Updated: 17/12/18 12:50pm Antonio Rudiger has revealed he is not in talks with Chelsea over a new contract. The defender had been reported to be thrashing out a new deal with the Blues, but the German insists he is happy with his current terms.The 25-year-old has almost four years to run…
'There is no need' - Rudiger won't rush contract talks but is

---

Mohamed Salah appeared to be out cold during Liverpool's dramatic 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Saturday. Divock Origi nodded in the winner for Jurgen Klopp's side with just four minutes left to keep their hopes of a first Premier League title in 29 years alive.
Mohamed Salah's Liverpool injury update before Barcelona

---

Sunderland transfer news: Middlesbrough allow Grant

---

Souness fears Mane and Salah will 'have heads turned' if bids are made talkSPORT 13:15 6-Jun-19 'Another Mane': Some Southampton fans react to reported eight-figure swoop HITC 12:09 6-Jun-19 Souness fears Real Madrid, Barcelona will try to lure Liverpool lynchpins TEAMtalk 11:26 6-Jun-19
NewsNow: Mohamed Salah news | Breaking News 24/7

---

Piers Morgan has mocked Tottenham supporters, saying north London has 'ALWAYS been red', following Arsenal's dazzling derby victory on Sunday. The Gunners got one over their fierce rivals at the Emirates Stadium, coming from behind to win 4-2 with an impressive attacking display.
Piers Morgan beautifully sums up how every Arsenal fan is

---

Marcelo reveals the only four Spanish words Gareth Bale knows after six years in Madrid. The former Tottenham star has been forced to settle for a place on the Real Madrid bench in recent matches

---

Liverpool FC have splurged £75m on the Southampton defender to improve their struggling back four under Jurgen Klopp. Van Dijk's […] The post Jurgen Klopp tells Liverpool FC fans to forget about Virgil van Dijk's price tag appeared first on The Sport Review.

---

West Ham vs Leicester live on talkSPORT 2: Full commentary, free stream and line-ups for 3pm clash All you need to know to tune into the Premier League clash By Marc Williams
Leicester vs Crystal Palace live on talkSPORT: Free stream of

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives first interview since taking Manchester United reins as caretaker manager "Everyone starts with a clean slate and we want players to perform, and we'll give them
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer interview: Full transcript of new

---

Phil Jones' bad night in the Champions League on Wednesday got even worse after he was trolled by opposition striker Michy Batshuayi.Jones scored an own goal in the early stages of the second half
Michy Batshuayi savagely trolls Phil Jones following Valencia

---

Paul Heckingbottom (born 17 July 1977 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire) is an English football coach and former player, who is currently the head coach of Scottish Premiership club Hibernian. Heckingbottom played as a defender for several English clubs, including Sunderland , Scarborough , Hartlepool United , Darlington , Norwich City , Bradford
Hibernian appoint new manager | SPFL

---

Adrian Durham believes James Maddison should reject a move to Manchester United because his development would stall if he went to Old Trafford. The Leicester star, 22
James Maddison should NOT go to Manchester United because 'he

---