Virgil van Dijk helped Liverpool to a 4-0 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier has stated that ‘everyone kind of laughed at me’ when he suggested that Virgil van Dijk was ‘one of the best centre-backs’ during his Southampton days.
The Reds signed the 27-year-old from St Mary’s last January and the Dutchman has had a big impact on the club since his arrival as they aim to win the Premier League title.
Last season, Van Dijk helped the club reach the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Real Madrid with Gareth Bale netting a brace.
Now, Jurgen Klopp’s side hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table following their 4-0 win against Newcastle United.
Southampton legend Le Tissier revealed why his previous comments on the defensive powerhouse were mocked.
“No surprise to me [at how good he has become],” Le Tissier told Sky Sports’ Soccer Special programme on 26/12/2018 at 12:45 pm.
“I was saying it when he was at Southampton that he is one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and everyone kind of laughed at me – he’s only playing for Southampton he cannot be that good.”
Over the course of the campaign, the ever-present Van Dijk has helped Liverpool secure 12 clean sheets from their 19 league encounters.
As a result of that, Klopp’s men have the leanest defence in the top tier of English football, with only seven goals conceded during this campaign – Manchester City have the next best with 15 goals conceded.
Liverpool have two tough fixtures coming up, at first they will welcome Arsenal to Anfield this Saturday before they will start off 2019 with an away trip to Manchester City in a potentially title-changing game.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
