LIVERPOOL CAN PLUG THE DIJK
Legend calm over Dutchman’s Champions League absence
Former skipper Sami Hyypia has no fears over Liverpool facing Bayern Munich without Virgil van Dijk.
The £75-million Dutch international stopper misses Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Anfield through suspension.
However, club legend Hyypia reckons there is enough strength-in-depth to cover for Van Dijk’s absence.
“These kinds of things give other players an opportunity to shine and take responsibility, and I hope the ones who play step up and do their job properly,” said the
Finn, who made
464 Liverpool appearances.
Former captain Sami Hyypia is confident Liverpool can cope without their “ultimate centre-back” Virgil van Dijk on their return to Champions League action.
The Holland international is suspended for the first leg of their last-16 tie against Bayern Munich at Anfield on Tuesday.
The defensive situation is further complicated by injuries to Joe Gomez (fractured leg) and Dejan Lovren (hamstring) which means manager Jurgen Klopp faces the prospect of deploying midfielder Fabinho alongside Joel Matip against the Bundesliga champions.
Van Dijk has been such an influence following his £75-million arrival in January last year that there are concerns regarding his absence, with Hyypia claiming he is irreplaceable.
Hyypia, who will play his first game for LFC Legends against AC Milan Glorie next Saturday at Anfield, said: “I saw it right away when he came, that he would be a very important part of the team.
“Straightaway he was organising the defence, he was the leader at the back, and as time has gone on he is even more important.
“He gives confidence to the players and makes many other players play better.
“It is very difficult to find a weakness. He is an ultimate centre-back and it would be a pleasure to play alongside him as he is so good.
“He is so calm on the ball, he never seems in a hurry and he trusts his skills on the ball.
“It was the right decision (to sign him) because he is so important for the team, it doesn’t matter how much he cost.”
With the Holland captain missing, Hyypia said there was an expectation on other players to fill the void.
“These kinds of things give other players an opportunity to shine and take responsibility, and I hope the ones who play step up and do their job properly,” added the Finn, who made 464 Liverpool appearances and is considered one of their all-time top centre-backs.
“Of course, Alisson has been a great addition for us. He has helped Virgil to make the records we have at the moment, not conceding many goals.
“I don’t know how much he organises or talks from the back but he is a great keeper and has been so good for us.”