Virgil van Dijk (Part 3)

On December 27, 2017, it was officially announced that Virgil van Dijk would be joining Liverpool once the winter transfer window opened on January 1, 2018. The reported transfer fee was £75 million, making it one of the highest fees ever paid for a defender in football history. As part of the deal, former club Celtic would receive 10% of the transfer fee due to a sell-on clause in Van Dijk's Southampton contract.
Van Dijk made his debut for Liverpool on January 5 in the third round of the FA Cup, and he made an immediate impact by scoring the winning goal with a late header in a 2–1 victory against local rivals Everton. This debut goal made him the first player since Bill White in 1901 to score on his debut in the Merseyside derby.


Throughout his first season with Liverpool, Van Dijk formed a strong defensive partnership with Dejan Lovren and played a crucial role in shoring up Liverpool's defense. His arrival was credited with improving the team's defensive stability. Despite joining halfway through the season, Van Dijk was included in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season for his contributions in the competition's knockout stages.
Van Dijk played the full 90 minutes in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid, although Liverpool ultimately lost the match 3–1. In his first season with Liverpool, Van Dijk made 22 appearances in all competitions and scored one goal.


In August, Virgil van Dijk received the Liverpool Player of the Month award for his outstanding performances. On December 2, he played a crucial role in a derby match against Everton, providing the assist for the winning goal scored by Divock Origi in the 96th minute. This assist came from a Van Dijk volley and an error from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Van Dijk's contributions earned him the PFA Player of the Month award for November 2018.
On December 21, Van Dijk scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in a 2–0 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He continued his impressive form throughout the 2018–19 season and was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month prize for December 2018.
Van Dijk's impact extended into European competition as well.


On February 27, 2019, he scored twice in a 5–0 win against Watford. The following month, he scored his first goal in the Champions League for Liverpool and provided an assist in a 3–1 win over Bayern Munich.
His exceptional performances led to further recognition. On April 20, he was nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award alongside teammate Sadio Mané. Four days later, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside Liverpool teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mané, and Andrew Robertson. On April 28, 2019, Van Dijk was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year.
Van Dijk's achievements culminated in Liverpool's victory in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur on June 1. Following the match, he was named UEFA's man of the match for his outstanding performance.


In August 2019, Virgil van Dijk received the prestigious UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to football. On September 2, 2019, he was shortlisted as one of the final three nominees for the Best FIFA Football Awards, a testament to his remarkable performances.
Later that month, on September 23, 2019, Van Dijk was voted as the runner-up in The Best FIFA Men's Player category and was also included in the FIFA FIFpro Men's World 11, highlighting his status among the elite players in the world. In October 2019, he was among the 30 football players shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or.


Despite his exceptional achievements, Van Dijk finished as the runner-up behind Lionel Messi in the Ballon d'Or ceremony held in December 2019. This sparked controversy, with many believing that Van Dijk had been unfairly overlooked for the award. His teammate Fabinho emphasized Van Dijk's contributions, stating that he should have won considering his individual performances and his role in Liverpool's success, particularly in winning the Champions League.
On December 21, 2019, Van Dijk played a crucial role in Liverpool's victory in the final of the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup against Flamengo, securing the trophy for the club for the first time in its history. His outstanding performances continued to earn recognition, as he was named in the 2019 UEFA Team of the Year.


Van Dijk's influence extended into the 2019–20 season, as he scored his first North-West Derby goal against Manchester United on January 19, 2020, contributing to Liverpool's 2–0 win at Anfield in the Premier League. Throughout the domestic campaign, Van Dijk demonstrated exceptional consistency, starting and completing every minute for Liverpool. His contributions played a significant role in Liverpool's triumph in the 2019–20 Premier League season, marking the club's first top-flight title in 30 years.


Virgil van Dijk showcased his aerial prowess by scoring a headed goal against Leeds United on the opening day of the new Premier League season. However, his season took a drastic turn on October 17 when he was substituted in the sixth minute of the Merseyside derby following a challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed that Van Dijk had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee, necessitating surgery. The injury was expected to sideline him for a considerable period, with initial estimates ranging from six to twelve months. Fortunately, on October 30, it was reported that the surgery on his knee had been successful, providing a glimmer of hope for his recovery.


Dutch national team coach Frank de Boer expressed optimism about Van Dijk's potential return before the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. However, Van Dijk made the decision to prioritize his rehabilitation to ensure he could return to full fitness for the start of the next season. This decision reflects his dedication to recovery and his determination to return to the pitch at his best.

References

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2. ^ "Van Dijk injury: How long will Liverpool defender be out for & which games will he miss?". Goal. 19 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
3. ^ "Van Dijk injury: Successful Surgery". Sky Sports. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
4. ^ "De Boer hoping for Van Dijk at the European Championships". 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
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9. ^ McNulty, Phil (27 February 2022). "Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
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