AFTER Sunday’s nail-biting and fortunate victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield kept Liverpool firmly in the thick of the chase for the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp told reporters that if The Reds beat the odds to win title number 19 it would represent a “championship of will”.
The gaffer has a point. There has been a gritty, stoic determination present in so many of Liverpool’s performances this season – a trait that has drawn criticism for sacrificing some style points, but a trait that also has the club fighting on two fronts in April.
Liverpool have now scored three winning goals in the 90th minute or later in the Premier League this season, their second-most in a single campaign after 2008-09 – the season The Reds clocked up a competition-high of 86 points.
Klopp’s side are seven points shy of that figure with six games still to play. And that clear will, that demonstrable grit, the never-say-die that has got them there, emanates most obviously from the man with the number four on his back, Virgil van Dijk.
Klopp on Van Dijk: "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!" #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) April 3, 2019
The Dutchman has – rightly – been praised to the rafters for his latest defensive masterclass, with the moment he turned a two-versus-one certain goal into a 10 per cent chance on Moussa Sissoko’s weaker foot leaving the pundits purring.
It was another moment for the defender’s Anfield scrapbook that makes the biggest of oxymorons ring true: he is a bargain £75million centre half.
Tireless and tiresome online debates rage on ad infinitum about whether Van Dijk is the best in the league, the best in the world, or the best in red. But, frankly, who cares?
What matters is he is Liverpool’s now. Willing, urging, leading by example, and defending in an imperious manner that has proven to be contagious in red ranks.
“Being around him, I think everybody improves,” said Joel Matip this week, enjoying his longest run at centre half alongside the former Southampton defender.
“He has had a big impact on the improvement. It’s great to play (with) him. He’s a complete defender and he knows what to do.”
Van Dijk’s three Cs: his calmness, his competence and his confidence, have weaved their way around everything Liverpool FC. As a supporter in the stands, certain faces bring with them certain feelings. You saw Steven Gerrard and you felt Liverpool had a chance in any game. You saw Jamie Carragher and you knew he would defend as though his life depended on it. You saw Sami Hyypia and you saw solid, stable and reliable. A ball in the air, Sami was there.
Van Dijk has that presence that the very best have. And if he lifts our spirits simply by stepping on the pitch, what does he do for his team-mates? And how about his opponents?
While Sunday’s Sissoko moment has captured all the attention post-match, there was another telling Van Dijk vignette that has been played out before in Liverpool matches this season.
It’s the moment an opposition foe tries to out-do him in a way that almost seems to irk him, and it mostly seems to prompt a delicious display of power, pace or chest-puffing – sometimes all three. Whichever, the message is always clear: this is my domain, and this won’t be an easy ride for you.
Example number 168793820 of why you wait for Virgil van Dijk. Why you don't settle for someone else.
Why you make him the world's most expensive defender.
Why he still seems an absolute bargain. pic.twitter.com/amvtvaS1of— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) March 31, 2019
The weekend example came from Harry Kane attempting to get physical with Van Dijk as a ball returned to earth. There was only ever one winner. And an arm bar, a planted foot and a steely look did the rest. This ball was Van Dijk’s.
There have been many other moments, but another stand-out came at Wolves earlier in the season when Adama Traore – no slouch for pace and no shrinking violet for strength – knocked the ball past an out-of-position Van Dijk and turned on the burners.
The defender prevailed, left his opponent sliding for the ball, and he even found time for a swagger and stare at the end of the duel.
He seems like the nicest of blokes. But he’s got no time for your nonsense when there’s a job on the pitch to be done.
Liverpool have had some fantastic defenders down the years, but many had their football Kryptonite – whether it was injury-proneness, concentration issues, lacking in physicality, short on pace, a bit meek, a bit shy, too quiet… Take your pick. Anfield’s seen it all.
Van Dijk, it seems, has no obvious downside to his game. He’s handled pace, he’s handled aerial threats, he’s handled the rough stuff. He even smells nice, according to Troy Deeney.
“I’ve said it many times, I hate him,” Deeney told BBC Radio 5. “I hate going up against him.
“He’s too big, too strong, too quick, too good on the ball, loves fighting, a good head of hair.”
He added: “One of those guys that sprays on his top as well, so it smells lovely! When he runs past you, it’s like ‘I can’t catch you, but…”
As the plaudits roll in though, what about those other traditional twin enemies of footballers at the top of their game – arrogance and overconfidence?
Van Dijk clearly backs himself. And he should. He’s made the transition from Groningen to Celtic to Southampton and now to Liverpool. And he’s made it all look easy.
Yet the 6ft 4ins defender isn’t too big to admit his faults. He messed up at Fulham. And he wasn’t happy with himself against Paris Saint Germain. But even at 27 he’s happy to admit he can still benefit from coaching and education.
Post-Paris he said: “The (first) one I tried to clear, the ball came behind me a little bit and they picked up the second ball. It should have been better there, but everyone sometimes makes mistakes. I need to learn from that.”
Big 3 points yesterday, 6 games left! #YNWA pic.twitter.com/vFGTAONbhZ
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) April 1, 2019
Van Dijk-plus is quite the prospect.
It was December 2017 when he stood in front of his Christmas tree with a Liverpool shirt and the club confirmed via Twitter that a deal was done.
And Alan Shearer was soon stating that Liverpool had paid way over the odds. "Southampton have got one hell of a deal," he told 5Live.
"Van Dijk is a good player, yes, but for £75m? No, he's not worth it at all.”
Since then no less than Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino have said he’s worth every penny. My money is with them. Sorry, Al.
A £75million fee is mad. But paying it for Van Dijk wasn’t madness.
A £10 on Liverpool to win the Premier League returns £27.50
