Sunday newspapers had reports linking Serie A giants Juventus with a world record bid for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Eurosport cited a rumour that the Italian champions were ready to offer a whopping £150m for the Dutch centre-back.

That would see the Premier League leaders double their return after paying £75m for the player in January 2018.

That’s a huge sum for a defender, well any player for that matter.

But in all honesty, I don’t believe The Reds can afford to sell Van Dijk at any price.

The Dutchman is a cornerstone of this current Liverpool side. One that won the Champions League last term and that are currently running away with this season’s Premier League title, they currently enjoy a twenty-one point lead over nearest rivals Manchester City.

Now there’s several men that can be seen as top class at Anfield. You’ve got three great forwards in Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. In goals. Alisson is a fantastic goalkeeper. In Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool possess players that can provide as well as defend.

But if you take any of those out of the team, I think Liverpool could survive without too much fuss (especially in the short term).

I don’t think that would be the same with Van Dijk out the team.

The Reds defence always look a bit vulnerable and lacked concentration before the arrival of Virgil. Yet they looked almost invincible since he stepped through the doors at Anfield.

Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have all looked far superiors defenders when they’ve been placed alongside Van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

When you look at their unbeaten run in the league this season, you’ll notice The Reds of Merseyside have built their success on the back of having the top flight’s best backline. Virgil van Dijk is the key to all that happening!

After Jurgen Klopp, Virgil van Dijk is the most important person at Anfield at this minute.

The German coach knows exactly Virgil’s worth. He usually plays down Van Dijk’s accomplishments and makes it more about the team. But Jurgen stated in November that the Dutch internationalist deserved the Ballon d’Or:

“But if you give it to the best player of last season, then it was Virgil van Dijk. I don’t know exactly how it will work but that is how I see it.”

Liverpoolfc.com

Van Dijk is header and shoulders the best centre-half in the Premier League. He’s probably the best defender in the world currently.

He’s smart, fast and great in the air. Van Dijk is a wonderful all-round defender.

It has taken Liverpool so long to get to this stage and it would be extremely foolish for them to even consider selling Virgil van Dijk.

Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t sanction the sale and that’s because he knows that he has a gem in the Dutch centre-back.

Posted on February 3rd, 2020 by scott
Filed under: Article