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Virgil van Dijk being the key reason behind Liverpool's fantastic run in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League is an understatement. Ever since his £75 million move from Southampton to Merseyside in January 2018, the Dutch centre-back has been a colossus figure at the back for Jurgen Klopp's team. And it's not surprising to see the Reds fans clamouring for their prized asset to be awarded this season's Ballon d'Or award, and going by his form off-late, they have a very strong case.
Van Dijk has been phenomenal at international level too, captaining a resurgent Dutch national team to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals. The English PFA's (Professional Footballers' Association) Player of the Year award showed how much respect he has garnered from his peers for his performances this season. Klopp holds him in the highest of regards, recently commenting on the player's impact on his team,
"What can I say? I could write a book about his skills, his strength, how much I like him."
Van Dijk was instrumental yet again in midweek, keeping out the famed attackers of Barcelona as Liverpool sensationally overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit to triumph 4-0 at Anfield to progress to the UEFA Champions League final. Van Dijk and company were imperious, keeping Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez at bay. In an all-English affair, the Merseysiders will face Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid on 1st June.
In this article, we explore three key reasons why Van Dijk should in all probability, win this season's Ballon d'Or award. Should it happen, he will be the first defender to win the award after a certain Fabio Cannavaro lifted the coveted title in 2006 after captaining Italy to World Cup glory.
#3 Imperious form in marshalling the meanest defence in EPL this season
Van Dijk has played every game in the Premier League for Liverpool this season, marshalling the meanest defence in the division. Besides league leaders Manchester City, the Reds have maintained the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 22 goals in 37 games. The Merseysiders also have the record for the most clean sheets- 20, in the league this season, ahead of Manchester City's tally of 19. Van Dijk has relished the challenge of facing top-draw strikers, with his dominating performances against the likes of Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette winning him plaudits from pundits and fans alike.
The 27-year-old Dutchman has won four Man of the Match Awards and has also chipped in with four agoals and two assists on his way to being selected the PFA Player of the Year. Incredibly, he is the only defender in Europe's top 5 leagues, yet to have been dribbled past even on one occasion this season! Averaging 1 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 5.4 clearances and 0.5 blocks per Premier League game, and with an incredible 4.8 aerials won per game, Van Dijk continues to put in world-class numbers with each passing game. Despite the fact that Manchester City look favourites to lift the league title, Van Dijk's exploits in the Premier League this season should be enought to see him lift the Ballon d'Or since Messi's Barcelona have crashed out of the Championns League.
#2 Captain of a rejuvenated Dutch national team
After embarrassingly failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Dutch national side have undergone a major overhaul under new manager Ronald Koeman. The former Everton boss reconstituted the Oranje team, appointing Van Dijk as captain, and the new-look Netherlands team went on to post impressive results. The fact that they topped a UEFA Nations League group, which included France and Germany, is testament to their quality.
The youthful side which also includes Liverpool's Georgino Wijnaldum, Ajax starlets Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt and Lyon talisman Memphis Depay had a bad start to the UEFA Nations League with a narrow 2-1 loss to world champions France. However, they overturned their fortunes quickly, defeating Germany 3-0 at home, with Van Dijk dominating the likes of Timo Werner and Thomas Muller. In the return fixture against France, Netherlands were dominant again, winning 2-0, with Van Dijk nullifying the threats of Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezman.
Netherlands head to face England in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals on 7th June and with Van Dijk in such a rich vein of form, they are one of the favourites to lift the title and return the Dutch national side to its former glory.
#1 Champions League performances
Despite conceding three goals to Barcelona in their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp last week, and looking down and out, Van Dijk and company refused to lose heart and came roaring back in the return leg at Anfield on Tuesday night, trouncing the Spanish champions 4-0. Van Dijk was a titan in defence again, nullifying the threats of Messi and Suarez with aplomb.
Having played every minute of Liverpool's 11 Champions League games this season, the Dutch star pitched in with two goals and two assists as well. Incredibly, Van Dijk is yet to be dribbled past even on one occasion in the Champions League as well this season! He averages 1 tackle, 0.9 interceptions, 4.8 clearances and 0.5 blocks per game in Europe's top tier club competition, also posting 3.5 aerials won per Champions League game. He was instrumental in seeing off Bayern Munich in the Round of 16, seeing off the threats of Robert Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry and company. A great final performance can seal the deal and ensure Van Dijk lifts his first ever Ballon d'Or.
