da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
da gbg bet： Virgil van Dijk is often a dependable figure for Liverpool, but he showed on Thursday just why he is captain of his country with an assured performance against Northern Ireland.
He didn’t have a lot to do for most of the night from a defensive perspective, with Northern Ireland opting to contain the Dutch attack, but he put in a convincing display nonetheless.
As well as dominating Kyle Lafferty, he also led by example, and when he found his team trailing with 15 minutes remaining he stood up and led by example.
His manager, Ronald Koeman, described his players as “fighting machines” pre-match, and van Dijk epitomised that sentiment, battling to win the ball for his side throughout whilst motivating his players to earn a crucial win.
Without his influence it is possible the Netherlands wouldn’t have found the goals needed to maintain their place at the top of Group C, with Northern Ireland and Germany breathing down their necks.
In typical van Dijk fashion, he was adept with and without the ball, making good use of his wide range of passing to try and put his side on the front foot.
According to SofaScore he completed 11 long passes, finding his teammates in good positions which allowed his teammates to mount pressure on the visitors, which ultimately wore them down and allowed the Dutch to score three late goals.
Watch a Liverpool fan discover the internet and get a nasty surprise in the video below…
His pass accuracy was of high quality throughout which was important given the amount of possession and territory his team had.
It is an aspect of his game which has been consistent for the Reds and fans will likely be pleased by the fact he has maintained his performance, with a big trip to Old Trafford coming up next.
Defensively he was a colossus as always, and but for some lapse concentration by his defensive partner, Matthijs de Ligt, Northern Ireland wouldn’t have got a look in.
His 17/19 duels won epitomised his dogged attitude but also his brilliant execution in making sure he won the ball, with two tackles won underlining his ability to retrieve the ball.