Now, Reds test for City
Table leaders Manchester look to bounce back from Man Utd loss
Manchester ( United Kingdom), April 9: Virgil van Dijk has lived up to his billing as the world’s most expensive defender in his short Liverpool career, but shutting out a desperate Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarter- final on Tuesday will be his biggest test yet.
Runaway Premier League leaders City could line- up with the most expensive defence ever assembled for their rescue mission, but they may regret letting Van Dijk get away if they fail in their mammoth task to overturn a 0- 3 first- leg deficit.
Liverpool beat off competition from City to sign Van Dijk for £ 75 million ($ 106 million) in January from Southampton, six months after their first attempt to land the Dutchman failed.
Jurgen Klopp was muchcriticised early in the campaign for refusing to splash out on a back- up option to Van Dijk as Liverpool’s chances of challenging City for the title vanished quickly due to defensive deficiencies.
However, the German’s patience to get his prime target has been rewarded as Van Dijk has spearheaded a turnaround in Liverpool’s ability to keep opponents at bay.
The Dutch captain will be examined to the full at the Etihad, though, where Liverpool lost 0- 5 earlier in the season.
Klopp’s men were also thrashed 1- 4 by Tottenham and involved in thrilling 3- 3 draws at Arsenal and Sevilla as they were routinely torn apart on their toughest travels before Van Dijk’s arrival.
Often overshadowed by the prolific front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane at the other end of the field, Liverpool’s improvement at the back is not down to Van Dijk alone.
Meanwhile, City spent over £ 130 million on fullbacks alone last summer in buying Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo.
By contrast, Robertson was a £ 10 million pick- up from Hull City, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.