Do-it-all Virgil is a hero for Liverpool
LAURIE WHITWELL
NOT satisfied at producing one of the moments of defending this season, Virgil van Dijk went up the other end in that languid manner of his and scored the goal that clinched this crucial game for Liverpool. Midway through the second half, with Wolves’ tails still up after an energetic first period, Adama Traore tried to stretch his sprinter’s legs to go past Van Dijk down the touchline. He pushed the ball ahead and tried to run round the Dutch defender. It looked like high danger. But just as soon Van Dijk accelerated to keep pace, then side-stepped calmly across to frustrate the Wolves winger, who jumped into a two-footed tackle of his own. Van Dijk shrugged that off and then found himself influential in an attacking sense. As Wolves tried to reassemble following a freekick, Van Dijk stayed in the box and timed his run to match Mo Salah’s chip in. His cushioned volley was worthy of the finest centre forward. It has already been said his £75million fee was money well spent, but it is quite something to think of what he might be worth now. At this rate he is surely a genuine contender for player of the year gongs. More than any other Liverpool player he is responsible for Jurgen Klopp’s team standing top at Christmas. They have dropped just six points, because of brick wall defence rather than blitzkrieg attack. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were at full throttle in a first half where Liverpool rocked on occasions. Repeatedly Wolves pressed back by nipping possession away in midfield and went forward with purpose. It was the same approach that stunned Manchester City in August and prompted Vincent Kompany to say Wolves were ‘geared for big scalps’. The home supporters applauded their team off after seeing Matt Doherty, Traore and Jonny Otto go close through thrilling play and high pressing. We had expected a proper contest here. Before last night Wolves had faced five of the big six and claimed six points, beating Chelsea and losing only to Tottenham, narrowly. They have impressed on each occasion. Here, was no different. But Liverpool had Van Dijk.