Gary Lineker has hailed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and labelled him a ‘Rolls Royce’.
Van Dijk has had a superb campaign, making 50 appearances in all competitions and his performances and leadership have been key in Liverpool’s quest for an unprecedented quadruple. Having missed the majority of last season through injury, the contrast in the Reds’ defence couldn’t be sharper with their measly back line conceding just 25 goals this campaign, the second best record in the league. This is compared to 42 last season when the Dutchman’s absence was sorely felt.
A key part of Van Dijk’s quality is how he enables Liverpool to play with an extremely high line, which suits their intense high-pressing game. “That’s how they play though isn’t it?” Lineker told the Match of the Day Top 10 podcast when discussing the playing style of the Reds and title rivals Manchester City. “It’s the same with Liverpool, I don’t think they can play without a high line the way that both of those teams do.
