Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk praises Tottenham Hotspur following Anfield draw
According to The Express, Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk praised Tottenham Hotspur for their stalwart defensive display at Anfield on Saturday night.
Spurs marched out onto Merseyside with a clear game plan and to their credit held true to it all night. This saw them escape with a point, something not many teams can claim while playing in the Red cauldron.
While it did little to immediately aid us in the fight for a top-four, avoiding defeat leaves us with momentum to take into the upcoming North London Derby against Arsenal. Defeating the Gunners will certainly aid us and the point earned at Anfield could in the end prove decisive.
Speaking after the game, Van Dijk admitted that Tottenham played well and made full use of their strength on the counter. A similar situation saw Son Heung-min put the visitors ahead in the 56th minute.
“It doesn’t feel like [a point rescued] at all. Obviously we knew their game plan, we knew the quality they have, especially on the break.”
Van Dijk’s comments appeared to contradict that of his manager, Jurgen Klopp who admitted to having an issue with Tottenham’s approach. However, a closer look at the German’s comments would prove otherwise.
Klopp did praise Tottenham for their performance and only picked a bone with the tactics employed. Rather than lambast Spurs for their approach he more or less admitted that it is not something he enjoys.
One of the best managers of his era, Klopp has every right to speak his mind. Given that he has always employed a high octane brand of football regardless of the club he managed, Klopp cannot be accused of hypocrisy. To make anything more out of it gains Tottenham nothing.
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Van Dijk’s seal of approval is something to take home given that he is among the best defenders in the game today. Spurs still have some ways to go before reaching the standards set by Liverpool. Until then we have to fight with what we have and how we can.
The results against Manchester City and Liverpool this season show that we can compete against the very best. Doing so week in, week out will certainly elevate us to a higher level and Conte would understand that and hopefully, work on it this summer and throughout the course of the next campaign.
