Jurgen Klopp insists he cannot remember witnessing a more impressive season from a defender than the one which earned Virgil van Dijk the runner-up spot at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The Netherlands international played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Champions League winning campaign and was the linchpin of a defence which conceded just 22 goals in the Premier League as the Reds missed out on the title by a single point, despite losing just a solitary match.
Van Dijk, who also helped a rejuvenated Dutch team reach the inaugural final if UEFA’s Nations League, has begun this season in equally imperious form and scored twice in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brighton.
Despite the 28-year-old’s continued excellence, Van Dijk had to settle for second place as Lionel Messi won his sixth Ballon d’Or title to move one ahead of long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
‘I cannot remember a more impressive season from a defender,’ said Klopp at his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s Merseyside derby.
‘We played an outstanding season, we won the Champions League and got 97 points, we cannot do that with out-performing players.
‘It is nice but it is last season, I am sure now all awards are done and the boys can go for new awards if they want.’
Liverpool’s immediate focus will be on maintaining their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and extending their astonishing home record against a beleagured Everton, whose manager Marco Silva is battling to save his job.
‘The table tells the full truth at the end of the season, said Klopp.
‘If you go through the Everton squad nobody denies it’s a really good squad.
‘They have difficult injuries, especially the Gomes one. Delph too is a very important player for them.
‘There is a lot of pressure of course, Everton is an ambitious club, rightly so. They are not the only ones in this situation, this league is really different for everyone.’
MORE: FA Cup third round draw: Liverpool vs Everton; Man Utd vs Wolves; Arsenal vs Leeds United
More to follow…
