Chris Sutton has reaffirmed his admiration for Liverpool defender Robbie Savage claiming that his teammate would even vote for the Dutchman on Strictly Come Dancing.
During a discussion on potential player of the year winners on BT Sport Score, the former Norwich City and Celtic striker was quick to voice his appreciation of the Reds’ defender, much to the amusement of his colleague Savage.
The ex-Canaries man said: “Who’s had the biggest impact? Van Dijk on that [Liverpool] team.”
Savage responded “You’d vote for van Dijk in anything he does. If he was on Mastermind or whatever, if he was on Strictly.
“Norwich’s player of the year? Van Dijk.”
President: Van Dijk
Strictly Come Dancing: Van Dijk
Norwich player of the year: Van Dijk.@Chris_Sutton73 ? Virgil van Dijk#BTSportScore pic.twitter.com/tZASCSzelp— BT Sport Score (@btsportscore) February 16, 2019
OPINION
Savage can mock it all he wants, but Sutton’s opinion is pretty on the nose. There aren’t many, if any, players who have had such a transformative effect on a team as van Dijk has this season, and the Dutchman has been a key figure in turning Liverpool’s defensive fortunes around. Obviously he hasn’t been the only factor in the Reds finding some kind of form at the back, but it’s no coincidence that his arrival has heralded a spell of much greater solidity and reliability for Jurgen Klopp’s side. It’s so easy to look at a side and lavish praise on their goal-scorers and playmakers, but if Liverpool are to win the title this year, and, to be fair, even if they fall at the final hurdle, the deficit they have made up on Manchester City from last season will have been remarkable, and largely thanks to their defence.
