‘Crazy quick’: Van Dijk says 23-year-old is absolutely rapid six months after Liverpool opted not to sign him

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk acknowledged how quick Leicester City star Patson Daka is after the game last night.

The Reds were beaten by the Foxes in the reverse fixture a few days after Christman last year. That wasn’t ideal at all, but Jurgen Klopp’s men got their revenge yesterday thanks to a brace from Diogo Jota.

Leicester City, as they always do, looked to play on the counter-attack, but didn’t have any luck. Patson Daka started up top and he was their main outlet, but he couldn’t quite have the kind of impact that Brendan Rodgers hoped he’d have had.

However, the Zambian, who has been brilliant this season, gained van Dijk’s respect!

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Virgil van Dijk: Patson Daka is crazy quick

The Dutchman stepped in for an interview with Rio Ferdinand and the two defenders discussed Liverpool’s high defensive line.

That tactic is most dangerous against quick players and van Dijk highlighted how training well helped his side deal with Daka’s incredible pace last night.

He said on BT Sport: “We want to keep a high line because we know we can win the ball up high. It’s the risk you have to take. Luckily, they (midfielders and forwards) trust us in the back but it’s sometimes not easy, you’ve to be brave.

“Today, I played against Patson Daka, who is crazy quick in my opinion, so you have to be ready.”

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Liverpool could’ve signed Daka last summer

Liverpool wanted to sign a new attacker last summer and Daka, 23 now, was on Jurgen Klopp’s wish list. However, a deal didn’t materialise.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed back in September that Liverpool would’ve signed Daka if they managed to offload Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi six months ago. They could only push one of them out and even that happened late in the window.

Thus, Klopp decided against making a move for Daka and it may never happen now, even though he’s a phenomenal player.

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