BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has heaped praise on Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Jordan Henderson for their performances against Everton on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side huffed and puffed on their way to a goalless draw with their fierce rivals, but the lack of three points for the Reds certainly wasn’t down to the displays of either Van Dijk or Henderson.
Crooks was very impressed: “What a colossus this man is,” he wrote on the BBC Sport website of Van Dijk. “In the white hot heat of a Merseyside derby, Virgil van Dijk was simply immense. Whatever needed to be done was completed with composure and style.
“On a day when Liverpool’s strikers looked more like the three stooges than the red arrows, Van Dijk took it upon himself to try and score the goals as well as defend his own penalty area. The problem for Liverpool is simply this; if they don’t win the title this season the chances are Real Madrid or Barcelona will come knocking – probably both. And few turn them down.”
And Henderson: “If ever a game was made for Jordan Henderson then a Merseyside derby was it. This was not one of Liverpool’s most impressive performances but Henderson’s contribution was vital. When Liverpool are struggling they need Henderson.”
OPINION
Crooks is bang on the money with his assessment of Van Dijk’s performance. The Dutchman was absolutely sensational yet again at the back for Liverpool. He never put a foot wrong and was the coolest player on the pitch. However, Crooks points out a big problem that Liverpool could potentially have in the future. If they cannot get over the hump and regularly taste silverware then their best players will look for places where they can. If Madrid or Barcelona do come knocking for Van Dijk it would be a disaster, but also a real indication of where the Reds lie in the current footballing landscape. As for Henderson, he was alright against Everton. He battled fiercely and he worked hard of course, but this was not a virtuoso performance from the Liverpool captain. He did well defensively but he still needs to add more to his game going forward.
