Virgil Van Dijk Needs To Be An Instant Star At Liverpool!

It has been announced that Liverpool will finally sign Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk when the January transfer window opens.

The deal dragged on during the summer with The Saints unhappy with The Reds over their public pursuit of the Dutch internationalist. Liverpool apologised and withdrew from the bidding and the player was unhappy that his dream move fell through, he was told to train by himself until the summer window closed in September.

Obviously things have changed dramatically this week, I’m guessing the world record £75m fee for a defender has won favour with the Southampton board.

Now with that huge fee comes expectation.

We all know Liverpool’s defensive line has been suspect so far this term. No top six side in the Premier League has conceded more than the twenty-three strikes Liverpool have in this campaign.

Central defender Van Dijk will be expected to shore things up at the back.

Virgil certainly has the pedigree. He’s very good in the air, smart in the tackle, quick to intercept dangerous through balls and composed with the ball at his feet. He is also handy at grabbing vital goals too. The Dutchman is fairly dependable and consistent, that can’t be said of the current central defenders at Anfield.

I’d expect Dejan Lovren to be the centre-back that will fear for his position in the Reds side. The Croatian has the ability to do well but he can equally throw in a clanger and cost his team dear. His performance against Tottenham Hotspur was woeful at best and he was hauled off after just half an hour.

Virgil will be seen as the answer to the defensive problems that have hampered Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Anfield. I think his aerial ability and his concentration levels will be the main difference for his new club. For me, he’s one of the best defenders in the air and that should cut out a lot of mistakes at the back when high balls are flung into the Liverpool penalty area.

His composed presence should also see an improved Joel Matip. The Cameroonian defender has done well since his arrival in the summer of 2016 but sometimes looks a wee bit shaky. I think that’s because of playing alongside an erratic Lovren or an average Ragnar Klavan.

Now one issue could be Van Dijk’s form this season, which hasn’t been to the same high standards as it has been in the past. Many will state that’s because his heart was already set on going to Merseyside. That being said he still averages five aerial duels won per Premier League game this year, which is impressive.

Liverpool are currently in those invaluable top four spots, which ensures Champions League qualification for next season if they manage to stay there. Van Dijk will be seen as a star man to keep them in that position.

Unfortunately for the defensive marvel, he’ll have no bedding in period. There’ll be no room for mistakes. He has to arrive with all guns blazing and put in performances that show Liverpool are a more solid unit with him in the backline.

I’ve seen Virgil van Dijk since his Celtic days and the player has proven that he’s very capable at making jump ups in his standards and improving defences that he’s in. I expect him to do the same at Anfield.

The player certainly seems up for the task:

“Delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool FC player. Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football.

“I can’t wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time in front of the Kop and will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come.”

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