Danny Mills has heaped praise on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, calling him the perfect modern-day defender.
The Sky Sports pundit couldn’t pinpoint any weaknesses in the Dutch international’s game and has been blown away by his work on and off the ball.
Mills was particularly impressed with the 28-year-old’s ability in possession, with Jurgen Klopp having implemented a fast-paced style which requires each of his players to be skilled going forward.
“Van Dijk is perfect,” he told Football Insider.
“The set-up that he has, he’s strong, he’s powerful and he’s aggressive, at the right times, and then as a secondary option, he is good on the ball.”
“But first and foremost, he is good on the ball and people need to get back to the basics if you want to play centre-half at a top-level, and there’s no better example than Virgil van Dijk.”
Van Dijk has been a mainstay under Klopp since arriving, playing a vital part in the Reds securing their sixth Champions League trophy.
OPINION
Is there anything that van Dijk can’t do? The Dutch international has been simply untouchable since he arrived at Anfield, and has helped transform Liverpool into the unstoppable force they are today in all competitions. The 28-year-old is a leader on and off the pitch for his side and is one of the major reasons behind their success. Not only was he a part of the UEFA Best XI, he should have picked up the Best Player award on the same night, but was pipped by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, despite beating the Spaniards on the way to the Champions League final. The experienced stopper has started every single game this season in the Premier League and has helped give the Reds an eight-point gap at the top already. Van Dijk has averaged 73.8 passes per game according to WhoScored, at an impressive success rate of 87.1% – stats of a ball-playing midfielder. Van Dijk is vital to any Premier League hopes for Liverpool, and if he continues this form, then he will help secure the silverware.
