John Barnes: What Virgil van Dijk needs to prove to Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC legend John Barnes believes Virgil van Dijk still has to prove he can be consistent over a number of seasons
John Barnes says Virgil van Dijk has to prove himself at Liverpool FC all over again this season.
The Netherlands international established himself as a Reds hero last term after Van Dijk played a significant role in their Champions League success.
The 28-year-old won the man of the match in Liverpool FC’s 2-0 victory over domestic rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League showpiece in June.
Liverpool FC finished in second place in the Premier League table last season and just a point adrift of champions Manchester City.
The Reds lost one game in the Premier League last term and Jurgen Klopp’s side ended up with the top-flight’s best defence after the Merseyside outfit conceded 22 times in 38 games.
Van Dijk was voted the PFA player of the year by his peers given his undoubtable influence on the Liverpool FC defence.
Former Reds midfielder Barnes believes Van Dijk needs to show consistency over the next couple of seasons to go down as a Liverpool FC great.
“Van Dijk had a fantastic season, but it means nothing now,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
“If he has a terrible season now, what is he? I’m sure he will be fine, but he just needs to carry on and be consistent. He doesn’t need to improve on anything, just consistency as he’s not been around long enough to judge that consistency.
“How he can improve is to do the same again – because he has then improved his consistency, that’s the key to everything.
“He brings stability, he is calm, which helps the crowd and now he has to continue to perform.”
Liverpool FC finished the 2018-19 Premier League season with a staggering 97 points, more than any other runner up in the English top flight.
Klopp’s side signed Dutch teenager Sepp van den Berg, Fulham’s 17-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott and West Ham goalkeeper Adrian in the summer transfer window.
