1 year ago
377 Virgil van Dijk delivered a masterclass in the art of defending for the Netherlands v USA today and the stats backed up his class.
Van Dijk was on the winning side as the Dutch eased past USA and into the quarter finals of the World Cup. Despite some pressure from the Americans, Van Dijk and his Netherlands teammates held firm to win out 3-1 in the end.
Of course, Liverpool fans around the world are loving watching their current players and transfer targets in action.
And while the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo – both linked with the Reds – were in action, it was the performance of Van Dijk that will have delighted Liverpool fans.
Van Dijk stats against USA show his worth
Jamie Carragher dubbed Van Dijk as ‘absolutely amazing’ before this World Cup and that performance from the Dutch defender today showed why.
He was everywhere really and the USA only managed to get their goal through a fluke effort from a cross that came from a wide area Van Dijk was nowhere near.
Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Per stats from Whoscored.com, Van Dijk did a bit of everything from his central defensive position. He played an impressive 49 passes at 90% accuracy, more than anyone else in the Dutch XI. In defence, he was as solid as ever as well, producing three blocks (another team high) and making four clearances, a stat only Nathan Ake bettered.
Interestingly, Van Dijk only made the one tackle. But sometimes that is a sign of just how good a player is at reading the game. Indeed, the stats show Van Dijk was never actually dribbled past today either.
If the Netherlands are to go on and win this World Cup, then Van Dijk will be key. And just like he has done with Liverpool for years, he showed just how good he is against the USA today.
The post 61 touches, 90% passing: 'Amazing' Liverpool player has just outshone De Jong and Gakpo at the World Cup appeared first on The Boot Room.
