Garth Crooks praised Virgil van Dijk in his Team of the Week column for BBC Sport after an ‘outstanding’ start to the season as the Liverpool defender looks ‘menacing’ in both boxes.
Van Dijk has been an ever-present part of Jurgen Klopp’s defence as the Reds have opened the season unbeaten. He also helped to register a third clean sheet in four games at Leeds United on Sunday to go third.
Liverpool are now joint on points and level on goal difference with Manchester United and Chelsea. The Red Devils top the early table having scored twice more than the Blues and Reds, who hold identical records.
Van Dijk offered Klopp a composed presence in the Liverpool backline against Leeds, yet impressed Crooks just as much offensively. After Liam Cooper and his Whites colleagues failed to clear the ball, the Dutchman headed it back in for Fabinho to score emphatically.
Van Dijk has greatly impressed Crooks since returning to the Liverpool backline after missing most of last season through injury. The 30-year-old only made five appearances in the Premier League before sustaining season-ending cruciate ligament damage in October.
“He knew he couldn’t score directly from the set-piece, but Liverpool’s second goal came as a result of him putting the ball back in the danger zone,” Crooks wrote. “Part of another clean sheet against Leeds, but looks menacing in the opposition penalty area once again.
“He’s been outstanding for Liverpool since his return. Ten points for them, no wins for Leeds. With Van Dijk in the team, anything is possible for Liverpool again.”
Liverpool will be glad to see Van Dijk form amid Crooks praise vs Leeds
Liverpool will be delighted that Van Dijk is performing like he did against Leeds again, to earn Crooks’ praise. He suffered a serious injury last year, and the Reds were significantly weaker without the 39-cap enforcer on the pitch.
But the Dutchman is back and looking like he will not need long to rediscover his best form. Van Dijk absorbed Leeds’ pressure with every interception for Liverpool, but – like Crooks says – also alive at the other end. Keeping the danger levels high for the Reds to strike.
Van Dijk’s partnership with Joel Matip will offer Klopp further encouragement for the year ahead. Starting with the Merseysiders’ first Champions League group stage tie of the term at home to AC Milan on Wednesday. The Rossoneri have won each of their three Serie A fixtures so far, while scoring seven and conceding just once.
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