PLAN! says Kop star Virgil

Everyone can get better. That’s how I feel and that’s what I want to do.”

Germany’s elegant sweeper Matthias Sammer (left) became the first defender to be named the No 1 player in the world in 1996 after helping his country become European champions.

Thirteen years ago, Fabio Cannavaro (below) also lifted the award after leading Italy to the World Cup.

Last year, Real Madrid’s Luka Modric broke the 11-year dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Van Dijk, however, is more interested in team prizes.

Liverpool head to Istanbul to meet Chelsea in t he European Super Cup on Wednesday.

New s i g ni ng Adrian will be in goal after Brazilian international Allison Becker limped out of the

Norwich romp with a calf injury. With Joe Gomez also easing his way back into the fray alongside Van Dijk in central defence after being sidelined by a broken leg last season, there is a new look to the Liverpool rearguard.

But Van Dijk said: “I think Joe did well, but he’s a fantastic player.

Decisions

“I’m just happy for Joe that he’s fit and he’s playing again. He’s playing at a high level and we just keep improving.

“Allison is very important for us, but we have to deal with it. “Adrian has come in and he’s at that age and stage of his career where he can come in and slot in to the team pretty easily.

“Chelsea have a lot of quality so we know what kind of team we are going to face.

“We will analyse them over the next couple of days and we have to be ready for a big game.”