Virgil van Dijk looked ‘back to his best’ as he scored in an unconvincing but crucial Liverpool win over Wolves.
With 17 minutes remaining, the Dutch defender scored the game’s opening goal and helped the Reds when everything seemed hopeless.
Soon after, Mohamed Salah doubled the lead to end the game 2-0.
However, no one can deny how important was breaking the deadlock and Van Dijk did justified his place in the World XI.
He contributed to Liverpool’s fourth consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League, thus, this will be essential in Liverpool’s quest for a top-four finish.
Van Dijk has now scored 20 Premier League goals, more than any other defender since 2015 when the the Dutchman arrived in England with Southampton.
But during an era-defining move to Anfield in 2018, it has been less about his goal scoring and more about his defending.
The Dutchman helped the Reds to advance in all four tournaments last season, when he had just recently recovered from ACL surgery. The 31-year-old also discussed about this in the recently conducted FIFA awards.
Van Dijk in FIFA Awards
While receiving the honour and becoming the only Dutchman in this year’s FIFA FIFPRO World 11, Van Dijk said: “It was an interesting year, we played all of the games and were competing for all trophies until the last game of the season.
“Very close, unfortunately couldn’t get it done but very proud to be a part of this football club.”
“I’m grateful and this is the biggest recognition you can get, voted for by your peers, by the players you play with and know what you go with day in, day out and play the same level. Proud.”
Next up for Liverpool is a clash against their arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday at Anfield.
At this stage, 10 points and 3 places separate Liverpool and Manchester United.
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