Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk has praised Ajax forward Brian Brobbey, after last night’s win in Amsterdam.
The Reds secured qualification for the Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 over their Dutch hosts. And as the Dutchman in Liverpool’s team, Van Dijk spoke to RTL Nieuws after the game, praising Brobbey.
“I think he’s a great boy. He is a great talent and basically has everything. He is fast, strong and can finish well,” said the 31-year-old via the Liverpool Echo. “He had said in an interview that he would score against us, but luckily, we were able to prevent that.
“He can be a very good weapon [for the World Cup], but it’s up to the national coach.”
20-year-old Brobbey has eight goals for Ajax this season and is in contention to join Van Dijk in the Holland squad in Qatar.
Van Dijk praise worth taking note of
Of course, it’s quite normal for a player to praise a young star from his nation, there’s nothing unusual in that.
With a World Cup on the horizon, and as the captain of his country, Van Dijk is bound to play some part in geeing up the players who could be involved.
But from a Liverpool point of view, it’s worth taking note of Virgil’s praise.
It may not have been the contributing factor in the Reds signing Darwin Nunez over the summer, but Van Dijk’s praise of him may have played a part.
Liverpool’s No.4 was vocal about how difficult he found facing Nunez against Benfica last season. When the world’s best centre-back praises a forward, it’s time to sit up and take notice.
Brobbey may not be at Nunez’s level just yet, but Virgil is obviously impressed. Having failed to get going at RB Leipzig after joining them from Ajax, the youngster has had a point to prove this season.
Returning to the club where he spent his childhood for around £16m this summer, Brobbey has bagged eight goals in 16 games.
Whether that form will see him line up with Van Dijk in Qatar, we’ll soon find out.
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