Liverpool legend believes Van Dijk should win the Ballon d’Or
The Dutchman has been a revelation in the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s defence since his £75million move from Southampton in January 2018, helping ensure his side only conceded 22 goals last season.
Clemence has called on Van Dijk to be recognised for his impact throughout the previous campaign, and has also hailed the performances of fellow goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
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“Who had the biggest influence for Liverpool over the full year? I would say it was Van Dijk,” Clemence said. “There’s an obsession with attacking and creative players winning it.
“It is more difficult to create and score goals but when you have an influence over a side like Van Dijk had last season, it wasn’t just what he did, it was what he gave. I think he should be a very strong contender for it.
“Alisson and Van Dijk have been massive. I like to put the two of them together because I think the two of them have been a massive influence at Liverpool defensively and on the whole team as well.
“A year ago, if Liverpool went 1-0 up, you thought they are probably going to need to score another goal because they could concede one somewhere. Van Dijk and Alisson being alongside young, talented players have meant they can win with a single goal.
“The main two help with their experience. They are very difficult to beat and that’s what happened in the final. Alisson made a few excellent saves in the second half. I think Tottenham would have gone on to win the game had they got that equaliser.”
On Alisson’s influence, Clemence added: “For me, the great goalkeepers have a presence about them. Even before they do anything, they look like they are difficult to beat. They stand in that penalty area with size and agility. If they say something to a defender then they do it. He has all of that.
“He is capable of great saves, but many are – he does it in tight games. He has a massive influence on the game. In the Champions League final, it was his saves as much as anything that won it.”
The former Red also believes Jurgen Klopp should look to bolster his squad further this summer, with better squad depth crucial to matching champions Manchester City.
“It is difficult for a team to stick with what they have got in the modern game,” Clemence said. “If you stay still, people go past you. Man City won it last year and they will make a couple of signings. Liverpool will have to be competing with them.
“In the last two years, Liverpool has had a good first XI, but the bench isn’t as good as Man City. Last season it got better with [Divock] Origi and [Xherdan] Shaqiri there. I think Liverpool only need a couple, one or two. It might disappoint the one or two who get replaced but you have to keep the competition high amongst the squad.
“The most important thing was making sure that they won something. That’s got the monkey off the back of not winning anything for so many years. Hopefully, that will give them the motivation and the confidence to take it forward next year. It is the first time Liverpool have won something for many years.”
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Source: anfieldhq.com
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