Jamie Carragher praised Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk after he inspired victory over Crystal Palace in the Monday night game.
Jamie Carragher has hailed Liverpool’s “outstanding” defender Virgil van Dijk, after he helped his side record a 2-0 victory away to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The Merseyside club earned a second consecutive win in the Premier League to start the new season in perfect fashion, with James Milner and Sadio Mane on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Jurgen Klopp’s side followed up their 4-0 hammering of West Ham last weekend by producing a more hard-fought display against Palace at Selhurst Park. And one man that stepped up was Reds colossus Van Dijk, as he won countless aerial battles and commanded the Liverpool defence.
The centre-back has been a revelation since he joined for £75million (BBC) in January, and has become a fan favourite already at Anfield.
Ex-Liverpool defender Carragher claimed after the Palace win that Klopp has been proved right after splashing big money out to sign him.
“Tonight is the reason, and maybe games in the future, why he (Klopp) spent £75million on Virgil van Dijk,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ televised programme Monday Night Football (20 August, 9:50pm).
“He was absolutely outstanding. The two of them as a partnership (alongside Joe Gomez), but I think Van Dijk just got the nod [for man of the match].”
Liverpool host Brighton in their next league match and are bidding to be in the mix for the title this campaign. Van Dijk is likely to be crucial to any potential title bid as he is a mainstay in Klopp’s side. The towering 27-year-old has looked solid alongside youngster Joe Gomez at the heart of defence in the opening two league games, while there is still Dejan Lovren, too, to come back in. Happy days on the Kop.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
