Heung-Min Son has stated that Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, is a ‘great, great defender’, as the Tottenham forward told Premier League Productions (19/12/21 at 6:45 pm).
On Sunday, both Spurs and Liverpool played out an enthralling 2-2 draw in north London, with more controversial decisions than goals during the action-packed game.
Liverpool were without their star defender, who also missed his side’s win against Newcastle in midweek because he tested positive for COVID.
The Dutchman wasn’t the only defensive-minded brain missing today because Fabinho was in the same boat.
It meant that Liverpool were cut open a lot more than usual against an aggressive-natured and relentless Spurs side.
Son was asked about Liverpool being without Van Dijk and claimed that his team still would have created big chances even if he was playing.
“Obviously Van Dijk is a great, great defender,” said Son. “He’s really important for Liverpool as well.
“We don’t focus on individual players. We had a game plan, even who is or isn’t playing – I think the last three or four days we prepared really, really well.
“I think even if Virgil played then we would have played the same way today.”
With Liverpool’s fullbacks bombing forward, Spurs were very positive when they won back the ball and continued to pepper their backline.
Harry Kane, Son himself and Dele Alli would constantly be on the shoulder of the Liverpool defenders and Spurs would continue to thread balls forward.
In truth, it’s a game Spurs should have won, especially given that they had a number of guilt-edge chances to score.
Son himself saw his effort put wide when Kane fed him the ball on the counter, but the same could be said about the England captain and Alli.
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