Garth Crooks has praised Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk on BBC Sport for his performance in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool got the better of Everton 2-0 at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
Netherlands international centre-back Van Dijk was in fine form, and his performance impressed former Tottenham Hotspur forward and BBC Sport pundit Crooks.
Praise for Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk
Crooks wrote about Van Dijk on BBC Sport: “I really don’t know what Liverpool would do without Virgil van Dijk. He was the only player who managed to keep his cool in the Merseyside derby when all around him seemed to be losing theirs.
“In another fractious affair between these two sides there was a moment when bookings were being thrown around by referee Stuart Attwell like confetti. As for Everton, their situation is quite straightforward for me.
“If they continue to play with the fight and commitment they showed against Liverpool, staying in the league will not be an issue. The problem for them is if they don’t. As for Van Dijk, he was the coolest man on the pitch.”
Big player
In our opinion, Van Dijk is one of the best centre-backs in the world and was brilliant for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
The former Celtic star was cool and calm at the back and was an assured presence in front of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
As always.
The Merseyside derby on Sunday was a very emotional affair, but, as Crooks notes, Van Dijk was calm throughout his time on the pitch.
We know that the Dutchman is a Rolls Royce of a player who always turns on the style in the big games.
Liverpool are having a wonderful season, and if Klopp’s side are to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup this season, then Van Dijk will have to stay on top of his game in the final weeks of the campaign.
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