Virgil van Dijk

[wiw]

We've really missed that diagonal ball. It literally takes about 8 people out of the game

[dizzycat]

We've really missed that diagonal ball. It literally takes about 8 people out of the game

He hits the ball so cleanly, I would like to see have a go with the longer Fks.

[wiw]

He hits the ball so cleanly, I would like to see have a go with the longer Fks.

He took some at Celtic didn't he? Think he's scored a couple of belters

[dizzycat]

He took some at Celtic didn't he? Think he's scored a couple of belters

I didn't know that, I don't really follow Scottish football that much. I am not surprised though and it would be epic to see him rocket one in right in front of the Kop.

[Buzzo]

Yeah, he scored a few as well from memory.

[ame="https://youtu.be/CKFi-optIVk"]Virgil Van Dijk 🍀 best free kicks 🍀 Celtic - YouTube[/ame]

[dizzycat]

Yeah, he scored a few as well from memory.

Virgil Van Dijk 🍀 best free kicks 🍀 Celtic - YouTube

Those reminded me of Arie Haan, on that evidence he should definitely be taking them from that range for us.

[Charly]

He is the Chuck Norris of footballers.

[Pablo]

I missed the match the other day and I've only seen MOTD highlights.

Did he have to sprint at any point? From the pre-season it was the only concern I had, it looked like he was avoiding sprinting and looked very cautious. In the Norwich game he was so comfortable he barely had to jog. Just wondering if he got pushed a bit more in this one?

The difference he makes to the whole defence in terms of collective confidence and improving performance levels is incredible

[Rigadon]

I missed the match the other day and I've only seen MOTD highlights.

Did he have to sprint at any point? From the pre-season it was the only concern I had, it looked like he was avoiding sprinting and looked very cautious. In the Norwich game he was so comfortable he barely had to jog. Just wondering if he got pushed a bit more in this one?

The difference he makes to the whole defence in terms of collective confidence and improving performance levels is incredible

He pushed up a couple times but I didn't notice any sprints. I still think he's playing within himself.

[red g]

I think coming up against Lukakau this week will tell us how back to his best he really is.

[labourRed]

I missed the match the other day and I've only seen MOTD highlights.

Did he have to sprint at any point? From the pre-season it was the only concern I had, it looked like he was avoiding sprinting and looked very cautious. In the Norwich game he was so comfortable he barely had to jog. Just wondering if he got pushed a bit more in this one?

The difference he makes to the whole defence in terms of collective confidence and improving performance levels is incredible

It's my concern as well. No, i didn't notice any sprints, to be fair he was up against Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood which i think i could handle in a foot race pushing a half load in a wheelbarrow.

Lukaku and co. will be a different prospect.

[Shaggy]

Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has praised Virgil van Dijk as the best centre-back in the world, with the Liverpool defender responding to his upcoming opponent.

Haaland is one of the most exciting young players in world football and, at 21, already one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

The Norwegian has scored 63 goals in 64 appearances since joining Dortmund in 2020, along with 29 in 27 for former club Salzburg and seven in 12 for his national team.

Wednesday night pits him against Van Dijk for the third time in his career as Norway host the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier, and in his pre-match press conference, Haaland heaped praise on Liverpool‘s No. 4.

“I think he is the best defender,” he told reporters, as relayed by TV2. “I think quite a few others in the room agree with me on that.

“He is fast, strong and ****ing smart, and those are three important things you must have.

“I have played against him twice and he is the best I have met. He is a good player, so we have to try to play around him.”

In response, VG quote Van Dijk as saying: “Did he say that? That was kind of him.”

An entertaining speaker, Haaland’s relationship with Van Dijk could bode well if Liverpool make a move for the striker in the future – which most fans would certainly wish for.

Due to a release clause in his contract with Dortmund, Haaland could leave the club for as little as £63.9 million next summer – though the Bundesliga side are reported to be looking to raise this to £76.6 million.

Either way, given Haaland’s blend of potential and remarkable current ability, that would still resemble a bargain for any top-level club.

[Kenneth]

Such a relief that he’s come back so strongly.

[BootRoom]

He looks strong, but I still think he's not at 100%. A couple of situations where he would have barged in with a tackle pre-injury he's looked a little tentative. Hopefully, and understandably it's just psychological fallout from the injury and will fall away as he continues to come through games unscathed.

[Venton]

Enjoying a sneaky gin and tonic and a dutch friend texts me to say that Virgil has knackered his ankle and that it looks bad. Someone tell me it ain't so.