VIRGIL’S ON THE WORLD
Klopp hails return
GIVEN their tendency to smash goalscoring records in an unprecedented campaign, it is little surprise the focus on Liverpool this season has been on their attack.
The comeback win in Villarreal set a clubhigh mark of goals in a season, with 139 in 57 matches across all competitions, which given their rich history is truly remarkable.
But for many it is defensive resilience that has underpinned the Reds’ Quadruple chase.
Keeper Alisson can still set a record for clean sheets in the Premier League with shutouts in the remaining games.
And with 31 clean sheets in all competitions, the Reds can beat the all-time record of 34 in a single season which has been done on four previous occasions.
Alisson is a huge part of that but as Tottenham visit Anfield tonight with their formidable strike force of Harry Kane, below, and Son Heung-min threatening to derail Liverpool’s express, it is Virgil van Dijk who will take centre stage, and for good reason.
A year ago he announced he would not play in the Euros for Holland, such was the severity of a cruciate ligament injury that kept him out for virtually the whole of the 2020-21 campaign.
But after being sidelined for 10 months, Van Dijk is back better than ever and his manager, Jurgen Klopp, says it is down to the defender’s mental strength.
Klopp explained: “In situations like this there are always different reasons. The first is the surgeon but No.2 is the player.
“There were darker moments in that period when he was not really over the moon about the situation and we were not.
“He needed time to get away. He managed it good through all that.
“He was back immediately but all the rest as well, if it was that easy [to get back to top-level performance] then a lot more players would be world class as well. It’s not easy.”
Van Dijk has previously spoken about the “very emotional, very tough” mental battle he faced to get back, but his stats this season suggest he has returned to that world-class level Klopp spoke of.
In the Premier League, there have been 22 clean sheets, only 21 goals conceded, 192 recoveries, 30 interceptions and 100 clearances, along with 140 duels won and 113 aerial battles won.
Van Dijk will need to be at his best against Spurs.
“They have speed like crazy up front,” added Klopp. “Kane, what a player, and there is a blind understanding between them.
“Tottenham have massive quality. They have some of the best counter-attacking players in the world. We need to find solutions. – it’s the biggest challenge we’ve faced for a long time.
“When you lose the ball you have to be immediately around all of them.
“We have to find a way to be as calm as possible because it is not possible all the time.”
Klopp knows his side must win because he expects Manchester City to bounce back from their last-gasp Champions League exit.
“They are too good,” he said of City. “Yes, it is a massive blow. Everyone was ready to switch the television off and then all of a sudden Part Two started. That was really harsh I can imagine.
“I have had nights like this and it is not cool. The next morning is not enjoyable but the next moment you realise, ‘Okay we cannot change that any more so we have to focus on Newcastle on Sunday.’ They will be ready.”
There were dark moments for him in that period