Steve McManaman has great confidence in Virgil van Dijk. Friday, the former midfielder of Liverpool was deeply impressed by Van Dijk, who made the winning goal in the FA Cup match against 2-1. After his dream debut, the Dutchman has already done half the work, McManaman talks with Goal on Tuesday.
The former English international, which between 1990 and 1999 accounted for 272 matches for Liverpool, saw a’ self-assured’ Van Dijk on Anfield,”It wasn’t easy to debut in such a match”, he says,”There’s no better way to make yourself loved by the supporters than by making the winner in a derby. Sometimes it may take a while to get up at a new club, but he has already done half the work.
Van Dijk not only played football well, he also radiated leadership according to McManaman,”He is the great central defender at the back. Joël Matip is a quiet boy, so Virgil has to assert himself vocally. With his price tag he must show that he is the star and boss. He did that. He’s a good addition for Liverpool”, says the former footballer, who played not only for Liverpool but also for Real Madrid and Manchester City.
With a transfer sum of 85.4 million euros, Van Dijk is by far the most expensive defender ever. According to McManaman, the Orange International does not need to feel extraordinarily strong pressure, because transfer records are constantly being broken,”It seems as if nobody cares anymore about the price. It is taking ridiculous forms. Everyone is suddenly worth a lot; next week the record can be broken again. Of course it is a high sum for a defender, but that is becoming less and less of a’ thing’.
Do you see Virgil van Dijk taking a step up in the future?
