Van Dijk reveals what he knew about Kane before the final

Virgil van Dijk admitted he knew Harry Kane wouldn’t be “100 per cent fit” during the Champions League final on Saturday.

The Dutchman was crowned Man of the Match for helping his side shut out Tottenham at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, while Kane put in a lacklustre performance up front.

And Van Dijk, whose Holland side take on England tonight in the Nations League semi-final, says he expects a tough match against the Three Lions.

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“Obviously, I think if you ask anyone who is going to play tomorrow, both teams, they’ll say they’re not 100 per cent,” van Dijk said.

“Everyone has a full season behind them. But there is a chance to play to win a trophy here in this case.

“For us as a group, we want to go for it and give everything we’ve got. It’s going to be tough, but we’re going for it and full of confidence as well.

“It’s easier than last year (when Liverpool lost the Champions League final), certainly.

“In spirit and physically it was tougher. Everything is fine now and mentally speaking I’m in a better place now. We’re ready.

“I think all of us will feel heavy legs. That’s absolutely no excuse. We’ll all be ready for the match.”

On the England captain, van Dijk added: “Harry Kane is a fantastic striker.

“I think one of the best in England, and I think he’s definitely the best striker England have got for the national team.

“But I know also that, if you’re not 100 per cent fit, then it’s going to be in your head if you get a bit of a knock or you pass, and you get a little bit of pain. It’s going to be in your head.

“Obviously I expected him to play the final, but I know he was not going to be 100 per cent.

“I don’t know if he’s playing tomorrow, but if he will we’ll see how we’re going to manage them.

“I remember last year when I came back feeling bad, very disappointed for quite a while.

“It’s not easy to come back from it but I think if they play, they’ll definitely want to show themselves and try and win the game. We’ll see if they will play.”

On his approach to playing for both Liverpool and Holland, van Dijk added: “I just try to defend for the team, do everything for the team and try not to concede and not to lose either.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com