Luis Garcia praises Virgil van Dijk amid his exceptional form
18 Apr 2019
Liverpool favourite Luis Garcia has praised the performances of Virgil van Dijk for club and country during the course of the current campaign. The Netherlands international has been a revelation in the Reds backline in the ongoing season and he has helped them keep 17 clean sheets in the pursuit of a maiden Premier League title.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, the former Champions League winner raved about the Dutchman, who has been solid in the defensive line for both club and country this term. He added that the centre-back has the leadership qualities from the back and should prove essential to the Reds’ aim of securing their first-ever Premier League crown.
He said: "Van Dijk makes it look easy. “I think he is one of those top players that you need in your team" , not only because of the way that he plays, but also because of the personality and the character he brings on the pitch. On the pitch, he is always in the right place all the time. He's got the tempo of the game [under control]. Sometimes he leads from the back if he wants to go fast or go slow [and] it's very difficult to find players like this. That's why he has been so important for Liverpool this year, and of course he will “be challenging this year" for the title."
Van Dijk has already grown the reputation of putting standout performances at the back but of late, he has become a menace from set-pieces on the opposite end with four goals from six matches including a strike during the Netherlands’ 4-0 triumph over Belarus this week. Liverpool are currently two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the league standings but they have played an additional game compared to their close neighbours. As such, the Citizens have the destiny in their own hands and may have to go through a perfect run to retain the title.