Van Dijk delight at Liverpool's success under Klopp

Macdara Ferris reports from the Stadio Metropolitano

Liverpool's success under Jurgen Klopp this season has been built on their defensive set-up, giving them a platform to maximise their offensive talent further up the pitch. 

In the Premier League, they had the best defensive record; full backs Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold provided record amounts of assists (23 between them), Alison Becker claimed the Golden Glove award and Virgil van Dijk was the league’s player of the year.

To go with that award, the Dutchman won the man of the match in the Champions League Final 2-0 win over Spurs in Madrid on Saturday night. He was chosen for the prize by the UEFA technical observer team that included Packie Bonner. 

The strange UEFA protocol meant that the 27-year-old picked up his award at the post-match press conference receiving some polite applause from the assembled media when claiming it from the UEFA press official.

12 months previously Gareth Bale received the award when Real Madrid beat Liverpool – Bale’s two goals helped him win the prize with Loris Karius’ goalkeeping errors a contributory factor to Bale’s second goal and Liverpool’s overall defeat.

Paying a world record fee for a ‘keeper to replace Karius looks like money well spent by Klopp a year on but while van Dijk rightly praised Alisson he made it clear that everyone contributed to Liverpool’s success in securing the club’s sixth European Club crown.

“No, that’s not the main difference,” answered van Dijk when asked about Alisson’s saves being crucial compared with Karius’ errors in last year’s Kiev final. 

“Football is not a game about one player. We do it all together. We lose together, we win together and today Ali was there to save us with a couple of shots, I think from Son.”

Alison had little to do in the first half facing just two shots but in the second half Spurs had 16 with the ‘keeper making eight saves. Klopp said that his goalkeeper had a “sensational game.”

Van Dijk is full of admiration for Klopp. “He’s a fantastic manager, first and foremost, but he’s a fantastic human being as well, and how he handles us as players, obviously at the games, but outside of the games as well, is outstanding. 

“It’s a pleasure to work with him. I’m very glad and very proud that he wanted me to play for this beautiful club.”

The Dutchman admitted that his team were under the cosh in the second period particularly late on as they dropped off Tottenham but that his team were ready for any onslaught that Spurs would bring.  

“Obviously, in the second half we were a bit thrown back. We were sitting back a little bit. They put pressure on us. They kept [making] opportunities. They looked a bit dangerous and that happens in games but we were prepared for it. 

“We dug deep. In the second half they were good, they created chances and we made it difficult [for them]. But, yes, we are the winners of the Champions League, so it’s all good in the end.”

All good indeed as Van Dijk finished speaking and, with his winners medal around his neck, man of the match in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other, he left the media behind to go celebrate with his teammates in the dressingroom!