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Topics: Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Jurgen Klopp, Virgil Van Dijk, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or
John McDougall
Topics: Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Jurgen Klopp, Virgil Van Dijk, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or
Liverpool legends Jurgen Klopp and Steven Gerrard agreed that the same player ought to have won the Ballon d'Or at a certain point.
Both men are legends at Anfield thanks to their respective exploits in the dugout and on the pitch for the red half of Merseyside.
Klopp spent almost a decade in charge of Liverpool after joining in 2015 from Borussia Dortmund.
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In that time, Klopp oversaw Liverpool winning the Premier League title, the Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The German departed Liverpool in the summer of 2024 and since become the Head of Global Football for Red Bull.
Gerrard spent almost all of his career at Anfield after making his debut in 1998 and scored 186 goals in 710 games for the club before departing in 2015 to end his playing days in the MLS with LA Galaxy.
Gerrard won the Champions League, two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in his time at Anfield.
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One of Klopp's biggest and most successful signings during his time in charge of Liverpool was that of Virgil van Dijk, who was signed in January 2018 from Southampton for £75m in a then world record transfer fee for a defender.
Since joining Liverpool, van Dijk has scored 29 goals in 326 games for the club in what has been a trophy-laden spell.
The Dutchman has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup - the majority of which were under Klopp's management.
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Van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of the modern era and finished runner-up in the 2019 Ballon d'Or, which was won by Lionel Messi, with Cristiano Ronaldo third.
And both Klopp and Gerrard were in agreement that van Dijk ought to have claimed the Ballon d'Or that year ahead of Messi.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Klopp said: "Last season, if you really go for only that season, then I cannot remember a more impressive season for a defender ever, honestly.
"So it would have been right as well if Virgil would have won it."
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Gerrard was also in agreement that he felt van Dijk ought to have won the honour that year.
As per GOAL, when he was asked if van Dijk should win the 2019 Ballon d'Or, Gerrard replied: "Yes, 100%.
"I'm Messi’s number one fan, for sure. I love the player. Obscene numbers in his game in terms of assists and goals. I'm definitely a Messi fan, in the gang.
"But if you talk about consistency from one player over a year, who wins the European Cup and is absolutely faultless in every performance, that means you deserve to win the Ballon d'Or."