Willy Gnonto has praised Virgil van Dijk on the Premier League’s YouTube channel, claiming that the Liverpool star is incredible after being asked to pick between him and Ruben Dias on FIFA.
Van Dijk, of course, has been coming in for a fair bit of criticism of late. The Dutchman was previously one of the very best in the world in his position. However, he has not been in the best form more recently.
He was criticised for his part in the winning goals in the Reds’ defeats to Bournemouth and Real Madrid. But he clearly has an admirer in the Leeds United forward.
Gnonto says van Dijk is incredible
Gnonto actually made his Premier League debut at Anfield, coming on for the final 18 minutes back in October. And he went on to play an important role in the winning goal, finding Patrick Bamford with a cross. And that led to Crysencio Summerville getting the chance to poke the ball past Alisson.
The Italy international was asked to pick between van Dijk and Dias on FIFA. And he suggested he would opt for the Liverpool man having had the chance to play against him.
“I would probably say van Dijk,” he said.
“I haven’t played against Ruben Dias, so I can’t say [who is better in real life]. I’m lucky. But van Dijk is incredible. He’s strong, he’s fast as well, good on the ball.”
It should not be a surprise that van Dijk is not quite at the level he once was. He turns 32 in the summer. But he has also had to deal with a serious injury.
And it would not be a shock if he returned to that top level once again. Unfortunately for Liverpool, they are a team going through a period of transition. And the spine of the side is definitely not what it once was.
If they can make the right signings, they will be a force again.
But we will certainly be hoping that they have one more stinker in them as they travel to Elland Road in mid-April.
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