Virgil Van Dijk Archives ⋆ Page 4 of 5 ⋆ LSU

Sep52019 by JBNo Comments

Mourinho ‘said no’ to Man Utd bid for Van Dijk before Liverpool move

Premier League

Former Red devils boss Jose Mourinho urged Manchester United not to rival Liverpool in the chase to sign Virgil van Dijk, according to reports. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Van Dijk has established himself as one of the world’s best central defenders after his £75 million transfer move to Jurgen Klopp’s team in January 2018. Though, Mourinho was desperate for United to sign a new centre-back in his final transfer window at Old Trafford, but United refused to meet his demands and the Portuguese ended up getting sacked after a series of poor results. According to The Independent, Van Dijk’s name was put forward as a possible signing before he eventually joined Liverpool but Mourinho ‘said no’ to the possibility of bringing the Netherlands internatio...

Aug242019 by JBNo Comments

Van Dijk explains why Liverpool’s defence has looked so open this season

Premier League

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has rejected suggestions that the club are playing a higher defensive line this campaign amid criticism of their poor performances at the back. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Merseysiders are yet to keep a clean sheet this campaign despite being dominant defensively in the 2018/19 season, while Jamie Carragher was notably critical of the way they have tried to play clubs offside. But Van Dijk insists the Reds have not changed their approach and the introduction of VAR – with linesman encouraged to keep their flag down – is exaggerating how open the defence really is. Asked if they are playing higher up the pitch, Virgil Van Dijk told The Times: ‘In certain situations it looks like it [a high line] but I don’t t...

Aug142019 by JBNo Comments

Virgil Van Dijk explains how Lampard can cope without Hazard at Chelsea

Premier League

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is confident that Chelsea still have the ‘quality players’ to cope without their star player Eden Hazard this campaign. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The 28-year-old brought an end to his seven-year spell at Stamford Bridge by joining Real Madrid this summer window in a deal worth an initial £88million which could rise to £130m including add-ons. The Belgium international scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in the Premier League last season and also found the net twice in Chelsea’s Europa League final win over Arsenal. Hazard’s exit would have hit any club hard, but Chelsea’s transfer ban meant Lampard was unable to sign any replacement for the forward ahead of the 2019/20 season. However, Virgil Van Dijk ha...

Aug62019 by JBNo Comments

Virgil van Dijk fires warning to Harry Maguire after record-breaking Man Utd transfer

Premier League

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has warned Harry Maguire that the title of "world’s most expensive defender" comes with added pressure after the England international's record-breaking transfer to Manchester United. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch international would definitely know a thing or two about that, having previously claimed the record-highest transfer fee paid for a defender, but Maguire’s £85m move to United has ended Van Dijk’s 20-month reign as the world’s most expensive centre-back. The deal for the former Hull City star was concluded on Monday and he could make his United debut this weekend in the Premier League’s opening round of matches, when he will face Chelsea. All eyes will no doubt be on the 26-year-old defender at Old Tr...

Jul302019 by JBNo Comments

Van Dijk breaks silence over touchline spat with Jurgen Klopp

Premier League

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has played down his touchline disagreement with head coach Jurgen Klopp during the pre-season loss to Napoli. The Dutch defender and his German manager were involved in a spat after Liverpool conceded the first of three goals in what proved to be another disappointing performance this summer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring for the Italian side, Klopp seemingly gave his star central defender - who had not been directly to blame for the goal - a few home truths. Virgil Van Dijk, however, appeared to take offence and was visibly annoyed with his manager as the pair exchanged their thoughts during the first half of the 3-0 defeat. But the Holland international didn't want t...

Jun52019 by JBNo Comments

Klopp tells Liverpool he wants United target De Ligt to partner Van Dijk

Premier League, Transfer Info

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly told Liverpool to sign Matthijs de Ligt as a defensive partner for Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool are currently enjoying the triumph of their Champions League glory on Saturday, but Klopp’s mind appears to have already turned to his transfer plans as he looks to challenge for the Premier League title once again next season. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Reds were not planning any major signings, but Sport Bild claim Jorgen Klopp has made a request to the Liverpool board to make a big addition. De Ligt is rated highly and wanted by almost every top club after a superb campaign with Ajax. The 19-year-old has offers from Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, with United reportedly offering the b...

Jun22019 by JBNo Comments

‘Messi should win Ballon d’Or – but I’ll take it!’ – Van Dijk looks ahead to award after CL victory

UEFA, Trending

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk believes that Lionel Messi remains a worthier candidate for the 2019 Ballon d'Or award - while conceding he would not turn down the award after his Champions League heroics. The Netherlands star has been a rock in the heart of the Liverpool team since signing in January 2018, transforming a leaky backline into the Premier League's most formidable unit. Already named the PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season in England this campaign, Van Dijk now has a real opportunity to become the first defender to win the Ballon d'Or since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); But despite getting the better of Messi and Barcelona in the semi-final gam...

May62019 by JBNo Comments

Why Virgil van Dijk missed Liverpool’s training ahead of Barca game

UEFA, Premier League

Liverpool supporters were given a fresh injury headache on Monday as it was reported Virgil van Dijk had not trained with his team-mates ahead of the Champions League game with Barcelona. Liverpool welcome Barcelona to Anfield on Tuesday, hoping to overturn a three-goal deficit and progress to a consecutive Champions League final. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jurgen Klopp will be without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, however, and there has been concern over the fitness of Van Dijk after he missed the final training session before the Barcelona clash. Dutch central defender Van Dijk, last month named the PFA Player of the Year, has been struggling with a foot injury over the last few weeks. But a Liverpool spokesperson has claimed Van Dijk ...

May32019 by JBNo Comments

Van Dijk sends warning to Messi & Barcelona after CL defeat

Premier League, La Liga, UEFA

Virgil van Dijk has issued a warning to Lionel Messi and Barcelona after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final game. Barcelona secured a win at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night, through goals from Messi and Luis Suarez putting the League champions in control. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Liverpool produced a good performance but their hard work was undone by Lionel Messi’s two second-half goals. However, Van Dijk appears to have hope of a comeback ahead of next week’s second leg at Anfield and believes Messi ‘won the battle but not the war’. Speaking to Spanish outlet Sport, the defender said: ‘When you come up against Messi and he produces his best form you can’t do anything. ‘I’m grateful that I’m not in ...

May22019 by JBNo Comments

Ferdinand slams ‘criminal’ Van Dijk mistake in Barcelona loss

UEFA, La Liga, Premier League

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has blamed Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk for Luis Suarez's opener in their Champions League first leg clash against Barcelona. Suarez got between Van Dijk and partner Joel Matip in the first half, latching onto Jordi Alba's cross to turn the ball past Alisson. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Barcelona went on to win 3-0 at home, with Lionel Messi tapping home as Suarez hit the crossbar before hitting a magnificent free-kick to notch his 600th goal for the club. However, retired defender Ferdinand feels the recently-crowned PFA Player of the Year should have done better to prevent Barcelona from getting the first goal. “Virgil van Dijk is at fault here,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport. “He can see Suarez, h...