Here’s what Lionel Messi & other top strikers think of Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk’s defensive nous has earned him respect amongst a number of the world’s finest forwards.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk joined the Reds in January 2018 and has remodeled the facet into among the finest on the continent together with his assured performances on the again.

This season, the Dutch colossus has missed out because of an ACL damage picked up towards Everton final October and Jurgen Klopp’s facet simply don’t look the identical.

Liverpool’s struggles on the again are completely comprehensible given the 29-year-old is arguably one of the best defender on this planet.

Van Dijk has stifled a number of proficient forwards in England and round Europe — together with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

Talking on Jamie Carragher’s the Best Recreation podcast, Zaha was filled with reward for the Liverpool star.

“He’s quick, calm, robust. He’s received all the things,” he mentioned, per the Liverpool Echo.

“Clearly Rio [Ferdinand] was simply composed to the following stage, however I really feel like Virgil has all the things all the way down to a tee.

“Wish to the purpose the place he can muck about when a ball comes excessive and flick it across the striker and stuff and he’s quick sufficient to get again on to it.

😁☝🏽 https://t.co/xyldo6RikS

— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) January 1, 2021

“Once we play towards Liverpool it’s like, how am I going to get round this man?”

Zaha isn’t the one ahead who was left impressed by van Dijk’s defensive prowess. So, we’ve compiled a number of the finest quotes relating to the Dutchman from a number of the world’s finest forwards.

Messi confronted off towards van Dijk when Barcelona met Liverpool within the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Messi was clearly impressed together with his adversary and later spoke in regards to the encounter in an interview with Marca.

“He’s a defender who is aware of learn how to decide his timing and watch for the proper second to problem or jockey [the attacker],” mentioned the Argentine.

“He’s very quick and massive, however he has numerous agility for his top.

“He’s quick due to his nice stride, and he’s spectacular each in defence and assault as a result of he scores a lot of objectives.”

Aguero is arguably the best Manchester Metropolis participant of all time and positively a Premier League legend.

The Metropolis document goalscorer has repeatedly clashed towards the previous Southampton man and are available up quick.

“Everyone knows Van Dijk is likely one of the finest centre-backs on this planet. He’s robust, tall, has an unimaginable physique,” Aguero told El Chiringuito, per Goal.

“He’s very robust head to head, he performs together with his physique. Additionally, given he’s so tall, he has these lengthy legs.

“It seems to be like he isn’t quick however he’s, due to his lengthy legs – he can attain all over the place. Two steps from him are 50 for me!

“What I like probably the most is the way in which he’s so good when defending. He’s not anxious when marking, he’s very cautious and affected person. That makes it tough for a lot of strikers.”

Austrian prodigy Haaland battled with van Dijk when RB Salzburg performed Liverpool through the 2019 Champions League group phases.

“He’s so good,” Haaland told France Football.

“He’s highly effective, fast, he possesses all of the qualities. He’s an unimaginable participant.”

The Norwegian just lately picked Van Dijk as one of many three finest defenders on this planet, per AS.

Former Chelsea striker Morata additionally picked Van Dijk as one of many three finest defenders on this planet in an interview with AS.

His description of the Breda native was an apt abstract of the defender’s qualities:

“Once you go towards Van Dijk, it looks like you hit a mountain!”

Clearly, van Dijk has earned the respect of a number of the most potent forwards within the recreation and it’s little surprise that Liverpool followers can’t wait to see him wholesome and again on the pitch.

Learn Extra About: Alvaro Morata, Erling Braut Haaland, Lionel Messi, sergio aguero, virgil van dijk, wilfried zaha