Garth Crooks was left in awe of Virgil Van Dijk’s prowess in front of goal this weekend.
The Liverpool defender powered home a volley to put the cherry on the Reds 4-0 win over Southampton on Saturday and it was enough to see him claim a place in Crooks’ “Team of the week” column.
“There can’t be many central defenders in the world who could have scored a goal like Van Dijk did” wrote the former Tottenham man.
“To strike the ball on the volley and direct it towards goal with enough pace to beat the keeper from just inside the box was impressive”
It isn’t the first time the Dutch national team captain has turned heads with his goal scoring. During his time at Celtic he was renowned for his ability to score from long rang free-kicks and registered 10 goals in his final season at the club. Is there anything he can’t do?!
Although the Reds number 4 muted his celebrations out of respect for his former employers, those inside Anfield couldn’t hide their joy at seeing the Dutchman back on the scoresheet.
After the devastation of his season ending ACL injury last campaign, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that the Dutchman can return to being a semi-regular name on the scoresheet.
While at times he has looked a little way short of his pre-injury best, he has featured in every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League season so far and a goal at the Kop end will have done him the world of good.
Van Dijk was joined in Crooks’ team of the week by Liverpool teammates Thiago, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
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