Jurgen Klopp has been full of praise for Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s pre-Norwich matchday programme.
Liverpool head into the weekend’s Premier League action sitting 2nd in the division.
The Reds are currently nine points behind league leaders Manchester City, though they do have one game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s side, so that gap could easily be reduced to six.
However, City continue to be in fine form, and most recently put five past Sporting CP in the Champions League. As a result, Liverpool really need to keep up their own impressive form if they hope to have any chance of catching the Sky Blues.
As for Norwich, they sit 18th in the Premier League, but have won two and drawn one of their last five.
Despite a slight upturn in form, though, Dean Smith’s side have scored just 14 goals in 24 outings this season, suggesting that the Canaries finding the net against a Liverpool side who have shipped just 19 in 24 is unlikely.
Jurgen Klopp on Virgil van Dijk
The Dutchman would spend much of last season out injured and it had a clear impact on Liverpool’s backline.
However, since Van Dijk has returned, the Reds have once again looked superb at the back.
As a result, Klopp opted to praise Virgil van Dijk ahead of Norwich, stating: “I do want to make a mention of our number four, our centre-half.
The level Virgil has performed to this season has been incredible. When you factor in what he’s returning from, it’s even more remarkable.
“It was always clear, because the surgery was a complete success, that Virg would be absolutely fine medium and long term. But the truth is, given everything that happened the level he is at so quickly is a surprise, to be honest. Well, I’ll correct that: it would be a surprise were it not Virgil.
“I’d have to check but I think it’s been 16 clean sheets this season so far for games he’s been on the pitch for. Not conceding in a game isn’t the only marker for a defender’s form, but it is important.
“I only bring this up because I think there is sometimes a danger that certain players can be taken for granted. Externally I mean – never internally, we would not allow this. Often this is due to the expectation they’ve set themselves from previous performance levels or maybe a failure to appreciate that the role they’re performing benefits the team over themselves.”
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