Martin Keown predicts Virgil van Dijk will emulate two Liverpool FC legends
The Arsenal legend is backing Virgil van Dijk to become a big hit at Liverpool FC after his dramatic winner against Everton in the FA Cup third round
Martin Keown has backed Virgil van Dijk to relaunch his career at Liverpool FC after the January signing scored a dramatic winner in a 2-1 victory over Everton in the FA Cup third round on Friday night.
Jurgen Klopp handed the Netherlands international his Anfield debut against their bitter rivals Everton following his £75m move to Liverpool FC from Southampton last week.
Van Dijk was tasked with helping Liverpool FC to secure their place in the fourth round of the competition and started the FA Cup clash alongside Joel Matip.
The 26-year-old looked assured on the ball in the first half before James Milner broke the deadlock from the penalty spot to give the hosts a slender lead.
Van Dijk was powerless to prevent Gylfi Sigurdsson’s equaliser from a superb counter-attack with the Liverpool FC signing out of position following the home side’s set-piece.
However, the world’s most expensive defender left his mark on the cup tie with a winner in the final six minutes at Anfield to ensure Liverpool FC’s name is in the fourth-round draw.
Former Arsenal defender Keown pondered whether Van Dijk is capable of emulating the likes of Anfield legends Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson at Liverpool FC.
“It was like a dream for him, wasn’t it?” Keown told BBC Sport.
“The manager committing all that money for him… we knew he was a top player. His career is going to relaunch at Liverpool I’m sure in the coming years. They’ve had brilliant centre-halves here. Is he in the mould of an Alan Hansen or a Mark Lawrenson?
“We’ll have to wait and see. But he’s had an incredible start today.”
