JURGEN KLOPP HAILED Virgil van Dijk’s Uefa Men’s Player of the Year award as a prize for all of Liverpool’s players.
Van Dijk enjoyed a supreme 2018-19 campaign, helping Liverpool to Champions League glory and captaining Netherlands to the Nations League final.
The former Southampton defender has maintained his form heading into this season and edged out superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the honour in Monaco on Thursday.
Klopp was quick to laud Van Dijk’s individual displays but pointed out his triumph was one that would not be possible without all of Liverpool’s squad.
“Brilliant! It’s really big. I wanted to call him immediately, but he had to go on stage. I’m so happy for him,” Klopp told Liverpool’s official website.
“I’m happy for us as well because he knows that without the boys around him, he cannot win that prize.
“It’s a prize for all of us – but we send our big man there to get it. It’s really rare for a defender. Yes, we all love goals – we want to score them and see them – but more and more and more people get excited about defending.
“Virg is an exceptional defender, in the moment 100 per cent the best defender in the world, so he deserves that prize absolutely.
“It’s now the icing on the cake of the Champions League campaign last year.”
The awards ceremony took place after the Champions League draw, in which Liverpool were pitted against Napoli, Salzburg and Genk in the group stage.
Van Dijk’s team-mate Alisson picked up the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season accolade and Klopp had no doubt the Brazilian was worthy.
“I would say well, well, well deserved. He made exceptional saves,” Klopp said.
“In the first season with us and immediately winning the Champions League. What a year he had, he won the Champions League, won the Copa America and now is the best goalie of last year.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Fair play to her…
Delighted
Great job, pity the bbc coverage couldn’t get her name right and decided to talk through the medal ceremony and our national anthem
Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!! Gold Medal !!!!!
the best thing to have come out of Kilcoole since Glenroe :)
Well done, massive achievement!
From a runner’s POV, what where the stats for the race, ie: times and distance covered?
You wouldn’t report on a soccar match and say that a team won without giving the score! Same for a race: time and distance next time please.
I don’t get all the thumbs down; this is standard journalistic practice, just read the race results in any newspaper. I presume readers would like the journal wants to maintain the highest standards of journalism?
Haven’t a huge interest in athletics but watched the race and what an impressive win. Attacked early and led from start to finish with huge confidence. Super display.
(On a side note I could do without having Spar on the actual Gold Medal!)
Irish women are doing so good in sports right now & should be getting more coverage, support & acolades.
They are just as dedicated as their male counterparts.
Bravo well done !
Great result. Congratulations!
Superb performance,really well done and good luck for future events.