Klopp Talk: van Dijk Should Win Ballon d’Or

Remember last season and the Reds lifting the Champions League trophy? Remember how that came after a semi-final where we got 4 goals against Barcelona at Anfield? Those were good times. It goes without saying that the team’s performances throughout last season were incredible, and that Liverpool’s stand-out performers should be recognised for their work. As we get closer to Ballon d’Or day, Klopp has weighed in on who he thinks was the best player of the 2018-19 season.

“If you give the Ballon d’Or to the best player of this generation then you should give it always to Lionel Messi. That’s how it is,” Klopp said this weekend. ”But if you give it to the best player of last season, then it was Virgil van Dijk.”

”I don’t know exactly how it will work but that is how I see it. The best player of all? That’s Lionel. Best player of last season? That’s Virgil. We will see.”

Van Dijk’s stats from last season were stellar, with 199 clearances, 193 recoveries, and 244 won duels in the Premier League alone. It went without saying that he was awarded the Premier League Player of the Season and voted Players’ Player of the Year, so we can only hope the Ballon d’Or voters see things similarly.

The awards ceremony will take place on December 2nd. Liverpool will have an incredibly strong showing, with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Roberto Firmino also on the shortlist.