Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has claimed that he ‘loves’ Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.
In quotes from The Evening Standard, Van Bronckhorst praised the Liverpool player ahead of facing him at Anfield tonight.
“I love Virgil. I’m very proud of the way he has performed for all his clubs but also the national team. He’s the captain and is a true leader,” said the Dutch coach. “He is a fantastic player. Everyone can have a bad game or spell, but the backing he gets from his coach is amazing. You always need that in those moments.”
Van Dijk has struggled for rhythm so far this season, but van Bronckhorst’s words are evidence of the regard he is still rightly held in.
Virgil in line for a rest against Rangers?
It’ll be interesting what decision Jurgen Klopp takes on Van Dijk for this evening’s game in the Champions League.
There is usually something of an unwritten rule in Liverpool’s back four: if Virgil is fit, he plays. We’ve even seen Liverpool’s No.4 take to the field in the Carabao Cup against the likes of Lincoln City in the past. No disrespect to Lincoln, of course.
But with the big Dutchman looking a little cumbersome so far this season, it might be wise to pull him out of this one. The Reds have both Arsenal and Manchester City on the horizon, and they’ll need him fit and ready for both those games.
With Ibrahima Konate now returning from injury, Liverpool are well-stocked at centre-back. There’s no need to hammer Van Dijk every game.
That isn’t to say tonight isn’t a big one, though. In the context of the group, it’s pretty much a must-win.
Rangers are in good form domestically and will be relishing a trip to Anfield. But they also have injury issues and have been taught a couple of early lessons in the Champions League.
Looking at the fixture list, if there’s one game that Liverpool could afford to rest Van Dijk in, it could be this one.
Sooner or later, you’d expect the 31-year-old to start showing why he’s the best defender in the world once again. Giving him a night off from time to time could be one way to speed up that process.
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