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‘Big switch of pace’: Ferdinand says Liverpool player has a ‘bad weapon’ in his armoury

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
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Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Liverpool’s Virgil van Did has a ‘big switch’ of pace in his locker, as he told Vibe with Five.

The former Premier League defender added that it is a ‘bad weapon’ to have for the ice-cool Liverpool player.

Whilst Van Dijk was out for most of last season, and needed time to settle during this campaign, he is back to his best now.

That was proven when he picked up the Man of the Match award during his side’s League Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley.

Nonetheless, Ferdinand showcased the respect and fear Van Dijk has on opponents, as he referenced Liverpool’s Champions League game against Inter Milan when Lautaro Martinez opted against taking him on, despite being one v one with him.

“Virgil Van Dijk, leave him on the halfway line on his own, no problem,” said Ferdinand. “This is what the top, top ones can do.

“Van Dijk, I saw him last week in the Champions League when someone went through (Martinez) and he went one v one with them. He said ‘I dare you play it past me’.

“The guy didn’t even try. He turned out and played sideways – Virgil has got that big switch (of pace), which is a bad weapon.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp’s side have one trophy in their cabinet for this season and they will seriously be pushing for all four.

Winning the quadruple has never happened in English football before for a reason, but the Reds will still back themselves to add multiple trophies to their cabinet.

They take on relegation-threatened Norwich City in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, before they resume Premier League matters at the weekend.

Liverpool have closed the gap on Manchester City and they should also progress through to the next stages of the Champions League after beating Inter Milan 2-0 in the first leg at the San Siro.