BeIN Sports pundit Andy Gray has heaped praise on Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk after his performance against Crystal Palace on Monday night, labelling him as “sensational.”
The Reds defeated Palace at Selhurst Park, grabbing a 2-0 victory thanks to a penalty from James Milner and a stoppage time goal from Sadio Mane.
Gray drooled over the 6’4″ [Transfermarkt] giant, praising him for taking responsibility when it came to corners and free kicks, as well as commenting on how Liverpool have improved defensively since he arrived.
He said on beIN SPORTS: “You know Van Dijk, he was sensational tonight. It’s almost as if he puts himself in the middle of the goal. When balls are coming in from corners and free kicks, he’s not really marking anybody.
“But he’s saying ‘I’m taking the responsibility, and I’m going to win that header.’ I’ve lost count of the number of headers Virgil Van Dijk won tonight in a defensive situation.
“Liverpool weren’t very good at that before he arrived, and I feel that’s another something that they’ve added this year. They’re better at defending…I think with him [Van Dijk], especially today.”
Andy Gray calls @VirgilvDijk "sensational"!#beINPL #CRYLIV #LFC #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/LwoU2CR0uI
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 20, 2018
OPINION
Since Van Dijk arrived at Liverpool from Southampton in January, many people would have undoubtedly baulked at the £75 million they paid for him. However, he has gone on to prove what a valuable asset he is to the team, and he certainly showed that against Palace on Monday. He was a commanding presence in the air and kept the Eagles at bay, even when they piled the pressure on Liverpool in some stages of the match. Gray is right to heap praise on the Dutchman, and he could not be more accurate in saying that the Reds have improved defensively now he is in the side. Without him, Liverpool would definitely not be in the strong position that they now find themselves in, and with him on the pitch, they are conceding far fewer goals. This statistic will be hugely important in this season’s title race, which could go down to the wire due to the quality of the teams in the Premier League’s top-six.
