Klopp praises “wonderful” Van Dijk after PFA win

Jurgen Klopp has praised Virgil van Dijk after the defender won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award last night.

The Reds’ No.4 takes the crown from teammate Mohamed Salah, and beat a host of other top names to win the accolade.

And Klopp, who signed the Dutchman in 2018, delivered a video message during the awards ceremony in which he hailed his centre-back.

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“I’m really proud it’s the second time in a row I can speak about a wonderful player who won the award for Player of the Season: Virgil van Dijk,” said Klopp, as quoted by LiverpoolFC.com.

“Who would have thought that when he started back in Holland? I think not everybody saw immediately what kind of player hides in this giant body.

“But now the whole world is aware of that and I’m really happy I can be a little bit around that development. I would love to think it’s because of me! But obviously it’s not, he was already the player he is now when we bought him from Southampton.

“It all worked out. From the first moment I was so excited about the opportunity to work together and now you are the man – at least for this season!”

He added: “I have exactly the same pride for Sadio, Robbo and Trent because we all know in the moment we have a pretty special group of players here together.

“That all gave you the opportunity to play the season you played. You deserve the award, no doubt about that, but I think you agree there could have been three, four, five, six more players in the Team of the Year with a Liverpool shirt on.

“But because City play a good season as well, it’s OK that a few of them are in the team!”

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Source: anfieldhq.com