Topic: Virgil Van Dijk (Cpt)

[PhilV]

People on social media saying he is overrated and should not have won  people are so fucking angry and biased with their views 

[Red Beret]

To me, there is no such thing as the best player in the world - there are  too many diverse roles in the team to allow for a single monolithic label like that.

However where it comes to who has been the most effective player in the world, it is difficult to argue against Van Dijk and the effect he has had on Liverpool's fortunes to almost winning the premiership and winning the CL. Messi comes close in helping Barcelona win another league title but falling short getting stuffed by us 4-0 in the CL wil have hurt his cause.

This. Virgil wont ever score as many goals, fantastic free kicks, or nutmeg as many players as Messi, but then can even Messi power 3/4 the length of a pitch to toe poke the ball off an opponent's foot in the penalty area? Making it look childishly easy and without breaking a sweat?

They're both such a commanding presence in their sides, and everyone around them raises their game; but I think (unfairly for him) Barca players - and fans - have come to expect Messi to bail them out when things aren't going well.  I think it's the nature of good defenders that Virgil wont let anybody slack off.

I think saying Virgil is the Messi of defenders is the greatest compliment you can give him.

[So… Howard Philips]

People on social media saying he is overrated and should not have won  people are so fucking angry and biased with their views 

People are strange.

[Entropicity]

His trophy looks like a big Jean Paul Gaultier perfume

Probably CR's body.

[ThePoolMan]

This. Virgil wont ever score as many goals, fantastic free kicks, or nutmeg as many players as Messi, but then can even Messi power 3/4 the length of a pitch to toe poke the ball off an opponent's foot in the penalty area? Making it look childishly easy and without breaking a sweat?

They're both such a commanding presence in their sides, and everyone around them raises their game; but I think (unfairly for him) Barca players - and fans - have come to expect Messi to bail them out when things aren't going well.  I think it's the nature of good defenders that Virgil wont let anybody slack off.

I think saying Virgil is the Messi of defenders is the greatest compliment you can give him.

So we have the Messi of CBs and the Messi of goalkeepers - that makes our defence the best in the world and you havent even included the best set of fullbacks in the world as well as a very reliable partner for Van Dyk in Matip.

[ThePoolMan]

One sign as to just how good Van Dyk is and that knowledge has spread is how Mangala was joking that he was beter than Van DYk because no one had dribbled past him for longer - mainly due to the fact that Mangala hasnt played hardly at all in that time!

https://www.empireofthekop.com/2019/08/28/image-mangala-takes-mickey-out-of-himself-in-virgil-van-dijk-comparison/

[markedasred]

One sign as to just how good Van Dyk is and that knowledge has spread is how Mangala was joking that he was beter than Van DYk because no one had dribbled past him for longer - mainly due to the fact that Mangala hasnt played hardly at all in that time!

https://www.empireofthekop.com/2019/08/28/image-mangala-takes-mickey-out-of-himself-in-virgil-van-dijk-comparison/

Following that logic, Alexis Sanchez was robbed, and Winston Bogarde was the greatest. I'm on board with that.


Honestly though, the winner and 3 players in total on the shortlist. That is superb.

[newterp]

Following that logic, Alexis Sanchez was robbed, and Winston Bogarde was the greatest. I'm on board with that.


Honestly though, the winner and 3 players in total on the shortlist. That is superb.

4 players.

[Jookie]

So we have the Messi of CBs and the Messi of goalkeepers - that makes our defence the best in the world and you havent even included the best set of fullbacks in the world as well as a very reliable partner for Van Dyk in Matip.

I think van Dijk deservedly won the award last night. Equally I think if Messi would have won then it wouldn't have been a travesty. Virgil has had a massive impact on the team that won the CL and got 97 points, and captained his national team to the Nations League final after a few years of under performances. He had a stoing case to win. Messi was incredible last season. He has been incredible to varying degrees for about 10-12 seasons. I think he also had a strong case that was probably damaged by the 4-0 defeat by us.

Where I disagree with the above is that you can't say that VvD is the Messi of the defenders. Or Alisson is the Messi of GKs. Both are arguably currently the best players in their respective positions. If that's how you are describing Messi then fair enough. For me, Messi has been the best player in the World (or at least in the top 2) for 8-10 seasons. He's arguably the best player to have played the game. He's definitely top 3 players ever. When you say 'Messe level' I'm equating it to this type of achievement.

Personally I think VvD and Alisson need to continue at this level for 5+ years to be considered the 'Messi' of defence or the 'Messi' of GKs. Both are capable of doing so. If they can do that, and do it at Liverpool, then we'll be laughing and they'll both be considered in the best players to have ever played for the club. They may be even considered in the conversation for best players in their position ever. Similar to the likes of Cannavaro, Thuram and Buffon. That should be the aim for the likes of VvD, Alisson and others in our squad. They have the ability, drive and structure to make themselves legends at this club and even legends of the game. The key to this is repeating the performances of the last 12- 18 months year in, year out. That's what Hansen did, that's what Clemence did, that's what Souness did, that's what Rushie did, that's what John Barnes did until injury and that's what Kenny did.

No reason why a fair few of the current crop can't do the same over the next 3-5 years.

[In the Name of Klopp]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/RDiA2PIz2ds" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/RDiA2PIz2ds</a>

[na fir dearg]

worst trophy ever  but happy for him that he won it

[newterp]

worst trophy ever  but happy for him that he won it

it is horrific. was it designed by the guy that did the famous Ronaldo one?

or some random lazy fuck who decided halfway through the build to quit? And UEFA said fuck it we aren't going to pay him and instead kept the money for hookers and coke, and left the "trophy" as is?

[PIPA23]

deserved... Messi is phenomenal, but he is not a better CB than VVD.

[Peabee]

Why should Messi get the Balon d'Or?

Coz he scorez goalz and thatz all that matterz 

Defo should be Van Dijk or Alisson in how they transformed our side from runner-ups to winners. Individual awards in football are always controversial and subjective, but the players effect on their team should be taken into account. E.g. We beat Messi’s Barca because we shut them out in the second leg. Yes, we needed to score 4, but a single goal would have put us out.

[commando]

Enough of Virgil winning the trophy. Have we found out who nicked Ronaldo’s jacket and tie from his dressing room yet?

[rawcusk8]

Why did they want to ask VVD about Zouma? He scored an own goal, so what?

Edit: seen that he’s recieved racist abuse for the own goal.

[TepidT2O]

Why did they want to ask VVD about Zouma? He scored an own goal, so what?

Edit: seen that he’s recieved racist abuse for the own goal.

I think she misheard instructions.

I think she thought they said she could ask about it in her ear piece...

However they actually said she couldn’t.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Another imperious performance from him today.

Virgil van Dijk vs Burnley

82% passing
64 completed passes - most on pitch
10/11 aeriel duels - most on pitch
11 clearances - most on pitch
Clean sheet

[Lynndenberries]

I enjoyed watching Chris Wood try to win a header today.

[newterp]

Another imperious performance from him today.

Virgil van Dijk vs Burnley

82% passing
64 completed passes - most on pitch
10/11 aeriel duels - most on pitch
11 clearances - most on pitch
Clean sheet

He had a couple of really casual plays today as well. Wood made him bite on a little pull back and almost scored early. And later he overran the ball on rodriquez chance.

[slaphead]

Another imperious performance from him today.

Virgil van Dijk vs Burnley

82% passing
64 completed passes - most on pitch
10/11 aeriel duels - most on pitch
11 clearances - most on pitch
Clean sheet

Imperious isn't it ?  He just attracts the ball. I dont think I've ever seen anyone with positional sense as good as Virgils

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Winning the Uefa award has clearly gone to his head. Trying to score 45 yard volleys and getting skinned by Jay Rodriguez. Sell.

[rakey_lfc]

Dribbled passed two times in two games, he’s on a downward spiral, sell him!

[slaphead]

This may already have bee referenced but I heard a great interview with Virgil and Graham Hunter. He talks about how he sees defending and the kind of things he reads in a game. Very complimentary of the lads in front of him, and behind, and how positional sense is key to how he plays. Well worth listening to

[Peabee]

Dribbled passed two times in two games, he’s on a downward spiral, sell him!

 

Happens all the time to defenders (every game for most). It was just a ridiculous run of games that shows how great he is.

[Ghost Town]

And I imagine because of the publicity attackers see it as a challenge and are specifically trying to dribble past him now

[S]

Happens all the time to defenders (every game for most). It was just a ridiculous run of games that shows how great he is.

It reached peak-ridiculousness in the final. That last burst of pace to deny Son one on one was something else.

[RedForeverTT]

Dribbled passed two times in two games, he’s on a downward spiral, sell him!

That’s as bad as Traore. We need to trade him for Jagielka.

[CHOPPER]

Dribbled passed two times in two games, he’s on a downward spiral, sell him!

[TepidT2O]

Signing a new six year contract according to the mirror.

[JC the Messiah]

Signing a new six year contract according to the mirror.

"Upon this rock I will build my church" - Jurgen Klopp, September 2019*













*might not be a word for word quote.

[Garlicbread]

Feels great that a player like Virgil wants to commit and give his best years to us 

[PhaseOfPlay]

Signing a new six year contract according to the mirror.

The newspaper?


Or were you just talking to your reflection?

[Something Worse]

Bargain

[Ghost Town]

I wonder what fraction of a Sanchez his new salary will be?

[kavah]

The newspaper?


Or were you just talking to your reflection?

ha ha

[Bobinhood]

I wonder what fraction of a Sanchez his new salary will be?

Looks like maybe about 40% . Sound.

[AmanShah21]

200k per week. That's how much United pay Sanchez to play for Inter. 

All that said, I am sure he has tonnes of performance related bonuses. Contract to 2025.

[TepidT2O]

The newspaper?


Or were you just talking to your reflection?

I don’t have one

[TepidT2O]

The mirror is reporting that VVD has a very highly incentivised contract right now, however his new one will be less loaded with incentives.

Pretty sure it will be the same with Mo etc.

What’s good is this helps our accounts.

Transfer fees are accounted for across the length of a players contract.  So we account for his fee at £15m a year.

If he’s signed a new 6 year contract, it means that the remaining fee (say £45m??) will be spread over 6 years meaning an accounting cost of about £7.m a year.

It’s also worth noting that VVD got a £5m signing on fee and gets a £5m loyalty bonus at some point....

Add that to agents fees and his true cost is pretty much £100m