There are moments when a signing is the final piece of the jigsaw. It wasn’t a straightforward transfer as Southampton was furious at Liverpool for tapping up Van Dijk without their knowledge that a possible summer transfer to Anfield ended abruptly.
In a sliding doors moment that was captured on Amazon’s All or nothing documentary on Manchester City, there is a moment when Manchester City refuse to up their offer for Virgil and allowed Liverpool to land their man and become the catalyst that has seen the Reds enjoy success and push City every inch for trophies.
No one knows how a signing will work out. Back then, there was frustration at Liverpool not getting a centre-half. However, Klopp was adamant in getting his man. There was little point in settling for second best as far as Jurgen was concerned and was proven right for holding out.
A FA cup tie against Everton saw Virgil make his debut and make himself a hero by scoring in the 2-1 against Liverpool’s city rivals. The impact that Virgil was made was what he was bought for and that was defending.
Liverpool’s defence looked more composed without any of the erratic defending that had impaired Liverpool previously.
2018 saw Liverpool reach the Champions League club where they were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid. The calamitous goalkeeping of Karius and the cynical fouling of Madrid’s Ramos who took out Mo Salah, helped Madrid win the European cup.
There can be no sentiment in football and one of Klopp’s strengths is making the tough calls for the benefit of the team. Karius and Mignolet were seen as liabilities due to their unreliability in goal that cost Liverpool points. So it was, that Klopp signed Allison Becker from Roma and instantly the pieces fell into place.
Although Virgil had settled in quickly, a good pre-season without jumping into the deep end proved to be beneficial.
Liverpool were organised, good at the press, and scoring goals from fun. Virgil was like a colossus in the defence especially as he didn’t have to worry about his goalkeeper doing something silly.
Watching Virgil was a joy for those wanting to watch a masterclass in defending. The basics such as positioning came easy but it is the reading of the game that is Virgil’s biggest strengths. You can see Virgil surveying the pitch and sniffing a potential pass he will either move forward, back or instruct a teammate to move to snuff out the option for the attacker.
You can also see the movement of Virgil who will flawlessly nip in to intercept a pass or pick a loose ball. Liverpool’s defence which was flaky and subsequently caused panic amongst the team and supporters now looked a well organised machine. Each piece knowing their job and doing it to the best of their abilities.
Any successful team is due to having a well-balanced team who can do the job required of them. You don’t need big names or the lists that some supporters read from their media feed and playing FIFA to produce a team. Just someone who is good and follows instructions.
Virgil is also a leader and Liverpool were missing this type of leader at the heart of the defence which you need. Communication and respect are key which Virgil shows by organising teammates into positions as well as covering spaces.
It’s also the speed of hoovering up loose balls to stop them becoming a danger. Against Everton where Liverpool won 2-0, Virgil effortlessly swooped in to get the ball and quickly switch from defence to attack.
There are different types of centre-halves from the ale house defenders who hoof the ball and kick the opposition, to the centre-halves that are solid defenders but get a nosebleed if they get anywhere near the halfway line.
Then you have the Rolls Royce of defending which Virgil belongs to. Composed on the ball that Virgil is calm as he brings the ball out to start an attack. You’ll very rarely see Virgil lose possession or give the ball away. In some ways, Virgil is more of a centre-midfielder in the way he reads the game and makes the precise passes.
What is good about Virgil is that there is no unnecessary fouls or last gasp sliding tackles. Like all players there is an element of the dark arts of having to make that necessary foul with a slight nudge. Even then, it is only done if someone has made a mistake and there is the last resort.
Slide tackling should never be an option. The only time it happens is due to either the player not being any good and resorts to cover up their own inadequacies and get the crowd believing that it is commitment. Another reason is that someone has made a mistake and it is the last resort. Slide tackling is dangerous because if it is mis-timed can result in a free kick or penalty and even worse injure someone.
It is very rare for Van Dijck to resort to slide tackling. Even when a mistake has been made, Virgil has anticipated it and already intercepted or got a foot in.
Set pieces such as corners is something that Virgil improved as soon as he stepped onto the pitch in a red shirt. Previously, there would be panic in the crowd with the defence being jittery and Mignolet flapping. Now with Virgil and Alisson bringing much needed confidence there is no anxiety within the stands.
Just watching Van Dijk is a lesson in defending. Positioning and ready to tackle the ball when the corner is taken. More often than not Virgil will head clear. There is also no panic as Virgil makes the correct pass. No passing it across the middle of the box it is cleared out wide.
Some defenders such Martin Skrtel were notorious for pulling shirts and grabbing hold of his opponent. How Skrtel never gave away many penalties is another thing, but you will never see Virgil make any silly mistakes like that.
At times, Virgil looks a centre midfielder in the way he carries the ball up the pitch and makes the correct pass. Even at Liverpool set pieces, Virgil poses a threat and has scored from many a corner such as his debut when Van Dijk scored against Everton in the FA cup.
In my opinion, Virgil Van Dijk is certainly one of the best centre-halves to play for Liverpool. The flawless reading of the game, his leadership, passing and control of the ball is second to none. As the Liverpool song goes ‘Watch him defend and we watch him score, he’ll pass the ball, calm as you like, He’s Virgil Van Dijk.’
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