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Sky Sports pundit and former professional footballer Stuart Pearce has tipped Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk to do the unthinkable next season – get stronger.
What’s he said, then?
Despite inducing plenty of critics when the deal was made, the world-record £75 million transfer to bring then-Southampton defender Van Dijk to Anfield in January 2018 is now looking like a stroke of pure genius from Jurgen Klopp.
Making the big step up to a top-six side, the Dutch international has gone from strength to strength, especially this season when he’s been arguably his team’s most important player as they battle it out with Manchester City for a first Premier League title.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Debate Podcast at 35:47, ex-England man Pearce had the following to say on the 27-year-old:
“Sometimes if you are big, strong and quick you can almost play a yard out of position and full well you can recover that position very quickly, but that (perfect positioning) will come with maturity.
“I think he’ll get stronger next year.”
The only way is up for The Flying Dutchman
Whilst Pearce’s comments seem a little far fetched, given just how brilliant Van Dijk has been for the Merseysiders at times this campaign, they are actually bang on the money.
It’s almost unthinkable to imagine the former Southampton man playing at a higher level, but his exponential development since moving to Merseyside suggests Pearce’s prediction could turn prophetic in the 2019/20 campaign.
In football, like any trade, there is always room for improvement and, in spite of many already proclaiming that Van Dijk is the best defender on the planet, the only way is up for the Dutchman.
It’s scary to think that a star of his capabilities could have some room for improvement but, as Pearce has alluded to, he definitely does.
The challenge from here for the centre-half will undoubtedly revolve around his bid to step up yet another level next season.
