Frenkie de Jong has applauded Virgil van Dijk on Instagram after the Liverpool centre-back was named in the FIFPro 2022 Men’s World XI.
The 31-year-old was the only bonafide centre-back selected, with FIFA putting out an attack-crazy XI that included the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland.
Not even a back four full of Van Dijk’s would stop those players from scoring, with Messi securing World Cup glory in Argentina colours in Qatar, Mbappe scoring a stunning hat-trick in that very same final, Haaland taking the Premier League by storm this season and Ballon d’Or winner, Benzema, lifting the European Cup.
Those were the attacking players, but from a defensive standpoint, Van Dijk is in a back three that includes PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and the recently-departed Manchester City star, Joao Cancelo, with Casemiro, Luka Modric and Kevin de Bruyne making up the rest of the team.
Nonetheless, following yesterday’s news for Van Dijk, he posted on his IG ‘blessed’, with several players responding in the comments section.
Barcelona star de Jong simply posted a clapping and flexed bicep emoji, whilst Memphis Depay and Arthur Melo followed suit, in their way of showing appreciation to the player.
Van Dijk will admit that he hasn’t been anywhere near his best this season and has played a part in Liverpool’s struggles.
But his fellow players clearly feel the one-time Champions League winner is still difficult to deal with because they held the power to vote for the best players of 2022.
And, if the former Celtic and Southampton man can get into the XI on a bad day, imagine how he will be recognised when he gets back to his best.
Liverpool news: Mo Salah’s agent responds to transfer claim as Virgil Van Dijk hits back
Liverpool are still reeling from their heavy defeat by Real Madrid last week, with the result sparking questions about star players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool are preparing to face Wolves at Anfield on Wednesday night following a disappointing trip down to London.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace on Saturday in a result which halted the momentum built by successive Premier League wins. The top four is looking an awfully long way off, with confidence hit by the 5-2 thrashing by Real Madrid in the Champions League last week.
The poor form this season means that attention is already turning to what will be a crucial summer when Klopp and his staff have to rebuild an ailing squad. This week has seen speculation that the club may struggle to hold onto their biggest stars.
Salah exit talk dismissed
Mohamed Salah is not thinking about jumping ship at the end of the season if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool are seventh in the Premier League, nine points adrift of Tottenham in fourth place, while they have a mountain to climb in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Real Madrid.
There have been suggestions that the club’s biggest stars may consider their futures in the summer if Klopp’s side don’t secure a place in Europe’s premier club competition next season.
But Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, has rubbished the suggestion. He wrote on Twitter : “Nonsense. This was never discussed or thought about. Not qualifying to the Champions League hasn’t even crossed our minds.”
Van Dijk responds to Gullit
Virgil van Dijk has risen above some scathing criticism from Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit following Liverpool’s humbling 5-2 defeat by Real Madrid.
Gullit was among the harshest critics after the mauling at Anfield last week, with particularly sharp words reserved for his compatriot. “Van Dijk puts his hands behind his back like a speed-skater and he bends his knees like speed-skaters do,” Gullit said, who added that he made it “too easy” for Real with his “clumsy” defending.
“I have nothing to say on that. I set high standards. People try to hold me to that so that’s what I try to do,” Van Dijk said of Gullit’s scathing attack.
“Coming back from the big injury and then being out for six weeks is tough so playing three games for 90 minutes is something I’m very proud of and have worked hard for.”
Fans arrested for climbing Anfield
The fans climbed onto Anfield’s roof to watch the game ( Image: Getty Images)
Three football fans were arrested after climbing onto the roof of Anfield to watch Liverpool get thrashed by Real Madrid last week.
Kain Hogg, a self-proclaimed “adrenaline junkie and professional climber”, and his two friends snuck in via a construction site and climbed the stadium to watch two thirds of the game before being caught by Merseyside Police.
“Tickets were sold out so the roof was our only option,” admitted Hogg. “We’re very sorry to Liverpool FC and to the police that had to deal with the situation.”
They are due to appear in court in March after being charged with ticket evasion, entering premises and obtaining services dishonestly.
