Virgil van Dijk has revealed Jurgen Klopp gave him a rollicking during Liverpool’s stunning Champions League victory over Bayern Munich earlier this season.
The PFA Player of the Year spoke exclusively to talkSPORT’s Laura Woods ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid.
getty
3
Jurgen Klopp almost always approaches Virgil van Dijk first after Liverpool matches
In the interview Van Dijk opened up on his thriving relationship with the Reds boss, hailing Klopp as one of the best coaches he’s ever worked with.
And the secret behind their close bond? They are not afraid to be truthful with each other.
Back in March, Liverpool claimed one of the biggest wins of their campaign as they dumped Bayern out of the last-16 of the European Cup.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard on joining Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard addresses Blues fans following Real Madrid move
ALLEZ LES BLEUES
France sweep aside South Korea in opening match of 2019 Women's World Cup
PRICELESS POINT
Late Duffy header keeps Ireland unbeaten in Euro 2020 qualifying campaign
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
It was only the second time the German giants had lost at home all season, but Van Dijk says Klopp was fuming at half-time with the game locked at 1-1.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring in Munich with an impeccable chip over Manuel Neuer following an outstanding pass from Dutch defender, but Bayern levelled just before the break when a shot from Serge Gnabry went in off Joel Matip.
Andrew Robertson, hailed as one of the world’s top left-backs this season, was widely blamed for allowing the winger in around the back to latch on to a long pass forward.
But Klopp knew better and instead aimed his full wrath at Van Dijk.
getty
3
Klopp is one of the Premier League’s most animated managers on the touchline
The centre-back explained to talkSPORT: “I have a good relationship with him [Klopp] because he just tells you the truth and I will tell him the truth. That’s something I really appreciate.
“Sometimes when there is a mistake I did, that no one else sees, he will tell me.
“For example, away at Bayern Munich, they scored the equaliser from a ball behind Andy Robertson.
“Normally, I’m there to protect him, but I didn’t.
“It looked like Andy Robertson was in trouble, so they scored and nobody said it was me.
“But at half-time, the manager came in and shouted at me.
talkSPORT
3
Virgil van Dijk sat down for an exclusive chat with talkSPORT’s Laura Woods
“I think he’s definitely up there with the best coaches I’ve had, [Ronald] Koeman was also a very important factor in my career and still is.”
“I’ve very grateful the boss bought me and got me to Liverpool.”
It appeared to do the trick, with Van Dijk scoring the crucial second goal as Liverpool battled to a 3-1 triumph in Germany.
It was one of their biggest wins on their road to Madrid, where they will face Tottenham on Saturday for the chance to be crowned European champions for the sixth time in the club’s history.
Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE commentary of the Champions League final – Sat 1 March, KICK OFF: 20:00 GMT
Van Dijk has had an outstanding campaign, earning him a whole host of individual awards, including the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, Liverpool Players’ Player of the Year and Liverpool Fans’ Player of the Year.
But the 27-year-old insists he is still not the finished article.
He said: “I think I have improved on every aspect of my game. I’ve had a lot of experience over the last year.
“I think as a central defender you grow as a player.
“There’s still more to come. There’s always things to improve, you can’t be satisfied with what you have.
“You have to keep working. I will definitely look at it when I’m having my holiday this summer.”
Juventus vs Ajax FREE live stream: How to watch without paying extra plus TV channel, kick-off time and line-ups Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 17, 2019 European heavyweights Juventus and Ajax go head-to-head this evening in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Barcelona vs Liverpool FREE live stream: How to watch without
Jurgen Klopp and James Milner send poignant messages to Liverpool fan who has just days to live Daily Mail 15:41 31-May-19 Without 'Milly', it wouldn't work at Liverpool, says Jurgen Klopp talkSPORT 15:15 31-May-19
Jurgen Klopp on why James Milner is Liverpool's 'new
The player Tottenham Hotspur fans must thank for their Champions League final run - but it isn't who you might think On their run to the Champions League final, Tottenham Hotspur have had several heroes. Lucas Moura's hat-trick against Ajax and equaliser against Barcelona talkSPORT 1 week ago
The lessons Daniel Levy and Tottenham must learn from
Apr 06, 2019 · EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — A coconut was thrown on the pitch during the Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibernian on Saturday. It was hurled onto the grass from the away end at sixth-place
Hearts vs Hibs delayed as smoke bombs and COCONUT are thrown
News list for chelsea fans stunned as wonderkid puts in brilliant goalscoring performance for loan club wigan / Chelsea fans watched on in awe as young Blues starlet Reece James starred in Wigan 's Championship draw with Norwich.
Chelsea takeover latest: Blues targeted by US and Asian-based
Crystal Palace 1-3 Man City: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Citizens Power Past Eagles to Go Top HT Media Editorial 14 Apr 2019 Manchester City produced a dominant display and survived a late scare to earn a 3-1 victory away to Crystal Palace to take Pep Guardiola's side back to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday.
Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City - prediction
Championship title race: The table, odds for promotion and run-ins for Norwich City, Leeds United and Sheffield United by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 17 Apr All three contenders for the Championship title have four games left as they push for a guaranteed spot in the Premier League next season.
Norwich City, Leeds United and Sheffield United title chances
Arsenal started planning bus parade for Europa League final victory before even playing quarter-finals Talksport; Watch every goal in Arsenal's run to the Europa League final BT Sport; Arsenal Vs Chelsea: A curious case of evenly matched teams Pain In The Arsenal; Unai Emery pays tribute to 'special' Petr Cech ahead of Arsenal goalkeeper
Europa League final - Chelsea vs Arsenal date, time, channel
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool side as 'one of the best ever
Transfer news LIVE updates as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal look to strengthen in the summer. Neymar has been in the news again while Liverpool have been linked with a Barcelona star
Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester United: Zlatan Ibrahimovic opens
Emmanuel Adebayor reveals he came close to suicide. Emmanuel Adebayor has opened up on a night he considered taking his own life due to the pressure of playing football Former Premier League
Top Tweets: New Packers LB Gary emotional after NFL dream
Barcelona 3-0 Man United: Champions League defeat could be blessing in disguise for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, claims Darren Fletcher Manchester United crashing out of the Champions League against Barcelona could be a blessing in disguise for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, former Old Trafford midfielder Steven Fletcher believes. There was no..
Articles by Joe Moore | The Washington Post, HuffPost United
The Premier League could have five teams in the next season's Champions League after UEFA confirmed the top four and Europa League winner will qualify for Europe's elite competition. There was a
European Soccer: A Layman's Guide to the Professional Leagues
No comments:
Post a Comment