Liverpool skipper Van Dijk involved in ‘beautiful moment’ away from Liverpool
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk starred as the Netherlands hammered Malta 8-0 on Tuesday evening.
The Anfield star returned to Groningen, where his professional career began, and it was a memorable occasion on 10 June.
Ronald Koeman’s side sit second in their World Cup qualifying group after the result but have played just two matches compared to Finland’s four games.
The result puts Van Dijk and Co. in a brilliant position going into September’s matches against Poland and Lithuania.
Van Dijk earns rave reviews for what he did away from Liverpool
Van Dijk was a major contributor to Liverpool’s Premier League title win and he has continued that form on the international stage.
The 33-year-old scored the third goal of the contest with a wonderful low strike from range to cap off his return to where it all began.
Football Oranje handed him a 7.5/10 rating, saying: “Back in Groningen, he scored the third goal and was dominant at the back.”
AD gave him a 7/10, saying: “Genuine joy from the captain of the Dutch team who helped his team to 3-0 with a blazing shot early in the match. Weeks before the battle in the Euroborg, Van Dijk had talked about how much pleasure it gave him to return to Groningen, to the stadium of the club where he made his breakthrough.”
Sportnieuws said: “Virgil van Dijk scored the 3-0 on the ground where he made his debut in professional football, a beautiful moment for the captain of Oranje.”
Finally, Volkskrant said: “Like a child with the candy stall in sight, he ran onto the field during the warm-up. With a boiling shot he made it 3-0. Visibly moved, he celebrated his goal.”
Liverpool can rely on Van Dijk to step up
The veteran has proved that he is still the best centre-back in world football this season, forming a wonderful partnership with Ibrahima Konate.
He recently signed a two-year extension that will keep him on Merseyside until 2027 at the very least, and there is every chance that he could star at the top level beyond that.
Slot will have been relieved to see his skipper maintaining his form ahead of the new campaign, where he hopes to retain the title after a tremendous first season in English football.
The Dutch ace called on the Reds to spend money in the transfer window after he signed his new deal and it seems like Fenway Sports Group have listened to his demands.
His national teammate Jeremie Frimpong has already joined from Bayer Leverkusen and moves for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are advancing by the day and it seems only a matter of time before they are concluded.
It seems like the ownership are giving Van Dijk the best chance possible to lift another title next season and judging from his latest display, he will take some stopping.