Danny Murphy has heaped praise on Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk, claiming that he is the obvious choice to win the Ballon d’Or this season.
The Dutch colossus was a central figure in the Reds’ Champions League win last term, and Murphy believes that the extent to which he has improved those around him has made him a shoo-in for the accolade.
Writing in a column for talkSPORT, he said: “His impact on the performances of the players around him, especially the back four, is phenomenal.
“Joel Matip has gone under the radar with his performances. He’s been sensational, and I think that’s because of the reassurance he has when he’s playing alongside Virgil. Joe Gomez was also improving massively until the injury setback he had.
“But the impact on others is fine as long as you’re playing well yourself, and Van Dijk’s performances have been sensational.
“Could Liverpool have won the Champions League without him? I think the answer’s no.”
OPINION
It’s hard to argue with Murphy on this one. The Van Dijk of last season was nothing short of imperious, and the form he showed was certainly a key factor in the Reds winning a sixth European title. His average match rating of 7.44, as per Whoscored, made him one of the very best players in the Premier League, despite the fact that he plays in such an unglamorous position, and his average of 5.2 clearances per game illustrated a talent who is not only physically imposing, but phenomenally organised too. Van Dijk has to be in the running for the biggest individual prize in football, and for further evidence, just look how exemplary Joel Matip has become by playing alongside him. The Cameroonian is now averaging a Whoscored rating of 7.52 in the Premier League, something which would have been unimaginable when he first arrived in England.
