Virgil van Dijk’s defending late on for Liverpool yesterday will be looked back upon as a pivotal moment if we end up winning the Premier League title.
With Liverpool throwing bodies forward at 1-1 in search of a winner, Spurs broke, thanks to a superb Harry Kane pass – with Moussa Sissoko and Heung-Min Son closing down on Alisson’s goal and only our no.4 between them.
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(Video) Van Dijk hoofed the ball out of Anfield when we scored winner
Instead of stopping a shot, as most defenders would do, van Dijk allowed Sissoko the ball until the last minute – closing off the passing option of Son completely.
By testing the Frenchman’s bottle, van Dijk eventually forced Sissoko to have a go on his left – which was a brilliant decision considering Tottenham’s midfielder blasted over.
“When I saw Son, I knew he would score if he got the ball, so i forced Sissoko onto his left foot to shoot,” van Dijk said after the game.
Journalist James Nalton expanded on van Dijk’s interview:
Van Dijk: “I see Sissoko and I know he’s right footed, and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that.” pic.twitter.com/zt1B9wWTei
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) April 1, 2019
There really is no central defender anywhere near van Dijk’s level on this planet.
If he can maintain this kind of form until the end of the season, we have a brilliant chance of winning either the Premier League or the Champions League – and maybe both.
Not a bad position to be in, right?