Jurgen Klopp full of praise for Virgil van Dijk after he’s named Europe’s best player

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was named the best player in European football ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday, fresh from helping the Reds lift their sixth Champions League.

Naturally, Jurgen Klopp used his press conference before the trip to Burnley to pour praise on the Dutchman, being very clear in just how good he thinks he is.

Klopp said: “The boys got the credit and the benefit of what they did last year so I think it’s well-deserved. Virgil is in this moment, for sure, the world’s best defender.

“I don’t want to put a big backpack on his shoulders but I spoke about he still has space for improvement which is best news actually. He is really, really, world class central defender and he was the outstanding player in the Champions League.”

TBR’s View – Rare to see a manager give such high praise but van Dijk deserves it

It’s rare to see a manager offer such effusive and unequivocal praise – and Klopp hinted at why, because it puts additional pressure on a player.

But van Dijk has – rightly – been carrying around the mantra of world’s best central defender for quiet some time now and Klopp is only calling a spade a spade.

Whether he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or on the back of this latest award is another conversation – Lionel Messi remains sensational – but he can live with the pressure that being continentially recognised brings.