VIRGIL VAN DIJK may have prevented Liverpool’s calamitous 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, according to Graeme Souness and Thierry Henry.
The Reds were utterly humbled at Wembley, as Harry Kane scored twice and Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min also got on the scoresheet to move Spurs level on points with second-placed Manchester United.
Dejan Lovren endured a horror show of a performance, and was substituted after half an hour, having been at fault for Spurs’ opening two goals – both of which came within the first 12 minutes.
Analysing the game on Sky Sports afterwards, both Henry and Souness claimed that the signing of Van Dijk from Southampton could have prevented such a disastrous display, with the former Arsenal legend even comparing him with two of the best Gunners defenders of the Premier League era.
“I played with two like that [Van Dijk] in this country: Tony Adams and Sol Campbell,” Henry said. “They were guys who were commanding. They demand so much of others that they were alert, they were going to defend those balls for you.
“In an ideal world, is it going to change everything? No. But he will definitely make it better and have an impact on that defence.”
Liverpool pursued Van Dijk throughout the summer, and were even forced to apologise to Southampton for their relentless chase, though the Dutchman’s signature eventually eluded them, and Souness believes they should have had some sort of backup plan.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link and today Lovren was their weakest link,” he said. “And after 10 minutes, they’re 2-0 down to one of the best teams in this country this season.
“I think [Van Dijk] would improve anybody. So you don’t get him. What do you do? Do you keep your powder dry or go out and buy the second or third or fourth choice? He’s decided not to do that, he’s known that problem is there.
“But he’s decided to keep his powder dry and not get the second or third choice and it’s proving to bite him in the backside right now. One man doesn’t solve all your problems. But if he’s in there today, they’re not 2-0 down after 10 minutes.”
Is son injured? have a feeling Ajax might win this one
@Nathan Mawhinney: Suspended
@Nathan Mawhinney: suspended for the first leg
@Nathan Mawhinney: son is suspended. Think you might be right, Spurs attacking football should suit Ajax to play on the break. As a long suffering Spurs fan I know never to have high expectations..just try to enjoy the football..
@Nathan Mawhinney: apparently spurs have never lost a champions league final! :-)
Spurs medical team were very poor in treating Vertonghen, the ref showed more concern than they did. Time for independent HIAs to be introduced
Handy number for Ajax, they must have been delighted with the draw.
@Orla Smith: Tottenham ,Tottenham no one can stop em
We’re gonna do it again
We’re going to bring the big cup back to White Hart Lane
So ,come on you Spurs
Ahh the glory days of soccer .
@Orla Smith: This is going to be a great game of football.
@Quentin Moriarty: Hahahaha…
Jez spurs can’t get their foot on the ball. Very impressive start from AJAX.
Ajax play some great football! really slick moves. Very entertaining
Ajax have been a joy to watch insofar. Tottenham struggling to get any meaningful possession.
Van de beek had alot of time on the ball b4 lettin fly
@Vote4Pedro: You should have been a football pundit.
@Orla Smith: oh my, the intellectual racist has a sense of humour
I’m going 3-1 Ajax
Ajax could run away with this in the second half if Tottenham attack there counter attacking football is superb
Well done Ajax deserved win against the “tin lids”…these bridesmaids won’t score 2 in Amsterdam…therefore should be a great final between Ajax and Barcelona…me thinks…
If llorente was free spurs were robbed?
@Dougal67: didn’t he score the goal that put them through to the semis?
@The Bloody Nine: I was being sarcastic, he’s an awful player height that’s it if he was under 6ft Finn harps wouldn’t have him, if the ball was covered in glue it would bounce off him, I would probably beat him for pace and I’m 51
See if I can get an answer here haven’t on any other hys with spurs fans. What exactly does deli alli do? Can’t tackle no pace doesn’t create doesn’t score goes missin for ages jees 10mins in before I heard his name tonight? Team sheet every game squad depth must be bad.
Poch has messed up his starting tactics multiple times now. Liverpool , Dortmund , Man United.off the top if my head.not a Spurs fan but he seems to get away with these blunders..anyone with a brain said a back 3 was illadvised.
That Ajax side is going to be ripped apart in the summer
@Willy Motley: I think they will get ripped in the champions league final too.
@Freddie Rincon: explain why
Just hope there’s no brain farts by spurs defenders COYS