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Virgil van Dijk Says Playing Street Football Made Him So Good In One-V-One Situations

Virgil van Dijk Says Playing Street Football Made Him So Good In One-V-One Situations

The Dutch defender was a rock at the back for Liverpool last season.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Virgil van Dijk has brilliantly explained how playing street football made him so good in one-v-one situations.

Van Dijk completed an entire Premier League and Champions League campaign without being successfully dribbled past by a single opponent in a remarkable feat.

He's a dribbler's worst nightmare and Liverpool's commanding No.4 has revealed the secret behind his incredible defensive stat.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The 27-year-old believes his upbringing on the streets of the Netherlands has helped him become one of the very best defenders in world football.

"I have had the benefit of a lot of one-v-ones by playing a lot on the streets," he said.

"I played in a lot of five-a-side games when I was younger and I loved to attack in those days as well, so you got a bit of a feeling how attackers might think in certain situations.

"Obviously that comes with experience in my professional career too, but I think if you want to progress as a defender or an attacker then just keep playing in the streets with your friends."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Liverpool recently made their first signing of the summer in the shape of 17-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Bergand, and Van Dijk has issued a piece of advice to youngsters rising through the ranks.

"The best advice I've got is to stay humble," he added. "Keep working hard and enjoy every bit of the way because before you know it, it is all going to be over and you do not want to have any regrets.

"That is the most important thing I would tell young players now because that is the most important thing that is staying in my mind."

The PFA Players' Player of the Year enjoyed a superb campaign last season as his side finished second in the Premier League and won the coveted Champions League.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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