John Barnes: van Dijk Needs to Prove Consistency

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The PFA player of the year needs to continue to be the stalwart of Liverpool this season

Losing our starting goalkeeper in the first game of the season is hardly an auspicious start, and all eyes have turned to our defense in the hopes they are up to the job of helping newly signed back-up keeper Adrian. Former Red, John Barnes, believes that Liverpool will rely on Virgil van Dijk and that a few more consistently incredible seasons from the Dutch international are what van Dijk needs to become a Liverpool legend himself.

“Van Dijk had a fantastic season [last season], but it means nothing now,” Barnes told a betting site this weekend. “If he has a terrible season now, what is he? I’m sure he will be fine, but he just needs to carry on and be consistent. He doesn’t need to improve on anything, just consistency as he’s not been around long enough to judge that consistency.

“How he can improve is to do the same again — because he has then improved his consistency, that’s the key to everything.

“He brings stability, he is calm, which helps the crowd and now he has to continue to perform.”

Van Dijk had an impressive game to kick off the season against Norwich City on Friday and managed to get one of Liverpool’s four goals during the game. His presence and command in defense are always necessary, but they will be especially needed as Liverpool (sans Alisson) head to Istanbul to take on Chelsea in the Super Cup this Wednesday.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com