'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#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.
