Van Dijk focused on winning the league
LONDON: Virgil van Dijk insists that Premier League trophies are the gateway to legendary status — not individual awards.
The Dutch defender has had a sterling season with Liverpool, commanding a defence that has not conceded in over seven hours of top-flight action following their 0-0 draw with Everton.
His performances have led many to presume the 27-year-old favourite to be voted PFA Player of the Year this season, but he insists that a title is his main focus.
“I want to focus on achieving something special, which this club hasn’t done for 29 years, and if either myself or any other players are involved in picking up individual awards, that’s great,” Van Dijk told FourFourTwo.
“Winning the league makes you feel even more proud of yourself and the team. It’s a sign of the hard work you’ve put in over a whole season.
“That motivates you. Winning the Premier League title puts you in the history books forever and makes you a legend. That’s why you play football. You want to become a legend.”
As well as domestic honours, Jurgen Klopp’s men are still in the mix when it comes to the Champions League, too.
Van Dijk is no stranger to the competition, having experienced European nights at Celtic before moving south of the border.
However, asked to choose between the two renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone — a song synonymous with both clubs — the defender couldn’t do it.
“Both,” he smiles. “I can’t pick one, as that’s like choosing between your children!
“Sometimes people underestimate the power the fans have on us.
“On Champions League nights especially, the atmosphere is incredible at Anfield. It inspires you throughout the game, giving you that extra push in tough moments.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Klopp believes stability will be key in the title run-in.
The Reds’ destiny is no longer in their own hands after a goalless draw in Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
Despite criticism over their lack of creativity, things at the other end of the pitch remain the same with five-successive clean sheets in all competitions and a Premier League-best 17 shutouts this season with just 15 goals conceded in 29 matches.
“We are positive — how couldn’t we be positive?” Klopp told liverpoolfc.com.
“There is a lot to come and a lot of games to play. What brought us here was the stability the boys showed.
“We are difficult to beat, which is very important in football. And we created, still, in difficult games, which is very important in football.
“Then you have to finish them off, which we did very often but not (at Everton).
“The dynamic (at the top of the table) changed a little bit — now we are second, they (Manchester City) are first.
“The season is not over and we will not give up.”