The Presence Of Virgil van Dijk Will Lift Those Around Him
Something that stands out immediately when you look at Virgil van Dijk is the authority he possesses. There is a real aura about him.
It is something that has always been evident with the Rolls Royce centre-back, whether it be as a youngster at FC Groningen, someone way ahead of the rest at Celtic or during an outstanding three-year spell at Southampton.
The 26-year-old has only made one appearance for Liverpool, so going overboard can risk future mocking, but he …
Virgil And The Perfect Debut
Nothing scares me more than the debut of a big money player.
It takes me back to the passage in Carra’s autobiography where he discusses the signing of El-Hadj Diouf from Lens. ‘The Serial Killer’ (and we can assume that he gave himself that nickname) cost Gerard Houllier £10m – the equivalent of about three times that today – shortly before the 2002 World Cup and claimed it would have fans on the edge of their seats. Well, if that …
Observations as a Virgil Van Strike beats Everton
TELL YER MA, YER MA,
TO WIPE AWAY ALL YOUR TEARS,
NO TROPHIES FOR 20 YEARS,
TELL YEAR MA, YER MA.
Thanks to big Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool fans will be able to sing that for another year yet.
It was touch and go at times, especially when the Reds spontaneously combusted defensively to let Gylfi Sigurdsson level up, but in the end, a combination of James Milner's penalty spot talent and Van Dijk's aerial prowess mean that the Reds …
Liverpool 2-1 Everton: Van Dijk Knocks Everton Out FA Cup
I'm sure Virgil Van Dijk would've been dreaming about his debut for Liverpool for some time now, but even he couldn't have imagined it going as well as it did.
The game got off to a gritty start, with Everton flying into a number of meaty challenges as you'd expect from the 230th Merseyside Derby. Wayne Rooney could easily have seen red for several offences, none more so than a late challenge on Joe Gomez before clashing with Emre Can …
Liverpool 2-1 Everton - Player Ratings from the Virgil van Dijk Derby
Some things are just meant to be, such as Everton not winning at Anfield. What looked to be heading towards another frustrating Anfield derby this season turned into a game that put a 75 million pound smile on every Red's face. Virgil van Dijk got the winner at the Kop end on his debut to win the game for Liverpool, who despite a rather disjointed performance, saw off the near neighbours in the FA Cup third round. James Milner opened …
Will Virgil Van Dijk Cement A Top 4 Place For Liverpool?
Two days after Christmas saw an announcement made by both Southampton and Liverpool to confirm that centre back Virgil van Dijk would be heading to Anfield on the 1st of January from St Mary’s. The fee is believed to be in the region of £75m, which means the Dutchman will become the world’s most expensive centre-half; as he is drafted in to shore up Jurgen Klopp’s leaky backline. Will his arrival secure a Top 4 finish for Liverpool though? Or …
Are Liverpool Supporters Underrating Their Own Team?
As Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired home Liverpool’s fifth goal against Swansea on Boxing Day, there was almost a flippant feeling of, “oh well, there’s another goal to add to the tally” from some.
A 5-0 win in years gone by would have been lauded to the roof, but this has just become the norm under Jurgen Klopp.
It no longer feels special to trounce a fellow top-flight club, or Champions League opposition, for that matter.
We are all well aware of …
Van Dijk Doesn’t Need an Armband to be a Leader
A couple of years ago, I wrote an article here on Anfield Index about Jordan Henderson (which you can read if you click here). Essentially, I made a case for Henderson returning from what has turned to be the first in a growing list of injuries for the midfielder. At the time, I felt he was one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers over a two-and-a-half-year period, where he had become a key member of the team.
I had seen glimpses …
Observations as Liverpool Come Back From Behind Against Foxes
Liverpool came back from behind to win 2-1 with Leicester on Saturday after a blunder from Joel Matip saw Jamie Vardy put the visitors in front after just three minutes. Klopp's side responded well though, moving the ball around nicely and creating several chances for the in-form Mo Salah.
It seemed to be an off-day for the Egyptian after he failed to convert two great opportunities before returning to his usual free scoring self in the second-half. Sadio Mané delivered …
FSG and VVD: A Signal of Intent
As signals of intent go, it doesn’t get much bigger than Liverpool’s signing of Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton. On multiple levels, the transfer for the Dutch international defender states firmly and unequivocally that Liverpool are no longer messing around in the transfer market. They’re ready to compete.
Firstly, there’s the fee itself, a reported £75 million. It’s the third highest fee ever paid by an English club (Manchester United, who “haven’t spent enough” occupy the first two spots, but …