Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann heaped praise on defender Virgil van Dijk and claimed that the Reds were blessed to have him.
The 45-year-old who played 191 times for the Reds shared that he struggled to put into words how good the Dutch centre-back was as it was simply incredible how he has transformed Jurgen Klopp’s side for the better since arriving.
Hamann noted that Van Dijk’s skills and leadership qualities had improved those around him and that he was a manager’s dream.
“Virgil van Dijk looks all over the PFA Player of the Year even though it’s an award that defenders don’t have a history of doing well in,” wrote Hamann in his weekly column for the Racing Post.
“We’re only a few weeks away from the nominees being announced and in my mind it has to be Van Dijk, with Raheem Sterling presumably nicking second spot.
“However, John Terry was the last central defender to win the prize and that was 14 years ago.
“It’s hard to put into words quite how good Van Dijk has been for Liverpool. To improve a side from the day after you arrive is an achievement in itself but to transform that side is incredible.
“He’s squeezed in between two relative rookie full-backs yet Liverpool defensively are simply outstanding. And that’s down to the leadership and the skills of the Dutchman.
“To watch him is to watch a player who cruises around the pitch as though he’s got gears to move in. It’s not just his tackling, his passing, his heading – it’s his organisational sense, his positioning, his ability to read situations quickly.
“Liverpool are blessed to have him because he’s a manager’s dream.”
OPINION
Van Dijk has been sensational for the Reds since arriving at Southampton in January 2018 and it’s no surprise that Hamann borders on being speechless due to how good the defender is. The centre-back is a rock at the back yet is comfortable on the ball like few defenders are. Van Dijk has been one of the Reds’ most consistent performers for Klopp’s side in his 38 appearances this season and if the Reds end up winning the Premier League title this season, the defender should be showered in praise for his contribution. However Hamann believes that aside from Liverpool’s trophy ambitions, Van Dijk should be targeting a personal accolade in the form of the PFA Player of the Year award. Of course the former Reds midfielder isn’t the only one to link the defender to the award and you’d back him to be contender at the very least. While defenders don’t regularly win that accolade, Van Dijk has proven himself to be a rare breed, particularly this season, and being a centre-back shouldn’t hold him back.
