Georginio Wijnaldum hands over a clean sheet to Virgil Van Dijk as a Christmas present.
Liverpool fans were in huge delirium when they announced the signing of Dutch center-back Virgil Van Dijk on December 27th last year. The buy could not have been better as the former Southampton defender was able to carry the Reds into the Champions League finals last term, and have conceded the least number of goals in the Premier League during this short stint.
During the first half of the season, the English outfit were unstable defensively and leaked goals way too often. Jurgen Klopp was heavily criticised during that period, but his wait to lure the Dutch center-half from South Coast has proved to be a right decision in making.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that one player would not be able to fix all the defensive fatalities at the back. But, the fans could not think of any player to walk into the team and make this kind of massive difference straight away.
The impact of @VirgilvDijk since his #LFC debut… 💪💪
Don’t miss tonight’s Review Show with @samashoo_tv and @NeilMellor33 from 18.30 GMT.
▶️ https://t.co/DAxFjeVQu3 pic.twitter.com/yVJRr8289X
— LFCTV (@LFCTV) December 24, 2018
Liverpool have kept as many clean sheets as conceded goals in @VirgilvDijk’s Premier League games 🔒
…and he added a striker’s finish today for good measure 🎯 pic.twitter.com/cQGG7NnXvC
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 21, 2018
The Reds are currently leading the Premier League table having conceded just seven goals in the first 18 games which is the joint best defensive record in the League. It has been that kind of season with all the defensive vulnerabilities going away following the addition of Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker to the squad.
In the back four, Jurgen Klopp’s side plays three players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, and Andrew Robertson who are all under the age of 24. The amount of belief the Netherlands captain has installed in these players are just a treat to watch.
His compatriot Georginio Wijnaldum decided to act as Santa Claus to hand over the gifts to every Liverpool player at Melwood training ground. In all surprise event, Virgil Van Dijk received a clean sheet from the midfielder as a present for the Christmas.
“Another clean sheet!”😁😂@GWijnaldum takes us on a tour around the training ground to deliver Christmas gifts to his #LFC teammates. 🎅🎁
Enjoy our festive edition of #ThisIsMelwood, presented by @BetVictor. pic.twitter.com/EwzPobGYCF
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 24, 2018
Earlier this season, his partnership with Joe Gomez was fascinating. He sat down with the other center-back for a media interaction with Liverpool FC TV. The Netherlands International was seen saying “I love clean sheets man”.
Virgil van Dijk: “I love clean sheets man.” 😍 pic.twitter.com/8ogk67oMaT
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) November 1, 2018
The Reds have kept 11 clean sheets in the Premier League this term, and have the best defence in the league compared to Manchester City who have conceded thirteen and have kept nine clean sheets in the process.
Liverpool will face Newcastle United at Anfield on boxing day as they look to maintain the four-point lead over the Citizens.
