BREAKING NEWS LIVE of the most iconic Premier League defenders’ – reaction as Van Dijk signs new Liverpool deal

 

 

Summary

 

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk signs new two year contract

 

The defender’s contract was due to come to an end in the summer and joins Mohamed Salah in extending his stay

 

Van Dijk – ‘I’m very happy, very proud…It was always Liverpool’

 

Analysis: Van Dijk’s trophy haul, Van Dijk’s individual awards

 

Sami Mokbel: ‘The leadership, you can’t put a price on that’

 

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Live Reporting

 

Ben Ramsdale & Sean Byrne. Edited by Murray Burnell.

 

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Watching VVD on the ball is a joy, he has an incredible passing range, rarely has to tackle or risk a foul, barely breaks a sweat. Him and Alan Hansen so similar. Chuffed he’s staying.

 

Janet

 

This was the most important one of the three. He is the heartbeat and leader of this time. So delighted he is staying.

 

 

Van Dijk’s impactpublished at 12:33 British Summer Time

 

Virgil van Dijk’s late winner for Liverpool at West Ham which moved them to potentially one win from the Premier League title.

 

He said it felt ‘beautiful’ when that ball hit the net.

 

Unsurprisingly he was asked about a new contract in this interview and didn’t give too much away. Luckily Liverpool fans didn’t have to wait too much longer to hear the news.

 

 

02:30

 

Media caption,

 

Van Dijk reacts to Liverpool victory against West Ham

 

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Safe to say you’re a fan of Van Dijk then, Zac?

 

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Whether it’s a hot take or not you can argue with a wall. He is the best centre back football has seen. Imperious tackle and duel win rates that are significantly better than next best. By a long way the most physically dominant CB to play the game in terms of speed and power. Went a whole season without being dribbled past having played Messi twice in that season, and has since been dribbled past by fewer people than I believe have been to the moon which is one of my favourite stats in football. He has done all of this in the absolute chaos that was Klopp’s defensive system covering SO MUCH space by himself and never having a regular centre back partner, as well as them not really being on his level. On top of that, genuinely world class long ball distribution and a presence on the pitch that is unmatched. Peak VVD is the peak of centre backs – 2nd in Ballon d’Or only to Messi. The greatest.

 

Zac, London

 

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Van Dijk’s 24-25 seasonpublished at 12:22 British Summer Time

 

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Liverpool

 

With it looking very likely that Liverpool will claim a second Premier League title this season, let’s take a closer look at the skippers contribution to the campaign…

 

Premier League

 

Appearances: 32

 

Clean sheets: 13 (joint most in the league with Nottingham Forest)

 

Goals: 2

 

Assists: 1

 

Champions League

 

Appearances: 9

 

Clean sheets: 6

 

Goals: 1

 

Image source,Getty Images

 

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Amazing news for Big Virj staying home! For anyone doubting his importance – just look at the team struggling in 20/21 season without him (injured). YNWA

 

Ivo, Maida Vale

 

At the end of the season, if and when we win the league title, the extensions for VVD and Mo will feel like a treble.

 

Anon

 

VVD signing was crucial. He is not only the heart of the defence but also a keystone to the team and club, who guides all around him. Now let’s get him another trophy to lift!

 

Ian

 

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‘The leadership, you can’t put a price on that’published at 12:10 British Summer Time

 

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Sami Mokbel

BBC Sport Senior football correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live

 

One of the questions Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes would have asked himself throughout this process is what expense it would cost Liverpool to replace Van Dijk.

 

He is one of the most iconic Premier League defenders, many would argue the best there has been. Going out and replacing that, not just the quality on the pitch but off the pitch too. The leadership, you can’t really put a price on that.

 

I imagine Liverpool looked at it and saw it as a common sense decision to give Van Dijk another two year contract.