Virgil Van Dijk believes that the recent mini winter-break has helped him to rediscover his best form for Liverpool.
Fresh from winning Liverpool’s Player of the Month award, Van Dijk spoke to liverpoolfc.com about his recent performances.
“I definitely feel the international break we had at the end of January helped a lot, to really switch off and get time with my family,” said the centre-back.
“It was good to just enjoy time together and also reflect on the first part of the season a little bit, coming back after the injury, because time goes by so fast so you really have no time to reflect much.”
The Reds had two weeks off between playing Crystal Palace on January 23rd and the FA Cup tie with Cardiff City on February 6th.
Virgil is in no doubt that the short break has been crucial in aiding his recovery from the knee injury that wrecked last season for him.
“I think the break helped me a lot; I came back clear-minded and ready to just give it everything for the rest of the season. Performance-wise, it definitely helped, confidence[-wise] as well and obviously the knee is doing well, too.”
Music to the ears of anyone of a Liverpool persuasion.
A timely reminder
Van Dijk was already starting to shine once more before the mini-break, he was brilliant as Liverpool beat Palace. He scored a cracking header to put the cherry on that display, which led to praise from his childhood hero, Ronaldinho.
But since then, the Dutchman has taken his game to another level. He currently looks like the player who scooped the FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year in 2019.
Alongside Joel Matip he has formed a defensive partnership that looks ever-likely to go down as one of Liverpool’s best ever.
Matip won the Premier League Player of the Month for February and Van Dijk has now won the club’s version of the award.
The duo have started seven games together since the game against Cardiff, conceding just twice and winning the Carabao Cup in that time.
It’s great to see Matip finally getting some plaudits for his excellent displays. But Van Dijk is clearly the difference maker.
The 30-year-old has sent a reminder to the world of football that he is still the very best defender playing right now. With him in the team, Liverpool have a much better chance of winning the biggest prizes this season and beyond.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
