THE Dutch version of Match of the Day is called Studio Sport. It airs every Sunday at 7pm. For over 50 years it has shown the highlights of Eredivisie games, writes ERIC SCHIPPER.
It’s tradition to eat in front of the telly when it starts. A similar type of tune. No pundits, though. Never sure whether that’s a blessing in disguise.
It was around the end of the season, near the time of the league’s UEFA Cup playoffs and just before those teams that rest players give game time to the young lads. Virgil van Dijk got the nod. Young, tall, confident. Sometimes you get the feeling that someone is going to be a top player when you see the look in their eyes. No fear, just sheer dedication. He had that.
Good players often burst on the scene quickly. When you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Virgil made two further substitute appearances before starting in the playoffs for European football. He was deemed good enough to start in a few of the most important games for the club, at just 18 years old. He scored two goals and notched an assist in three play-off games. Eventually though, they lost in a penalty shootout after overcoming a 5-1 loss with a 5-1 win.
But Virgil’s future was cemented. His frame, pace, vision, aerial ability and marking made him a standout defender in Holland, where most defenders have been failed midfielders, wingers, strikers and what have you — decent at football, but not natural defenders. The Dutch ‘Total Football’ breeds just that, total footballers. Every striker knows how to press, when to mark and how to block. But out-and-out defenders? They’re rarely seen. It’s just not in the system where possession is sacred, treasured above anything. The entire system is around the beauty of football, Johan Cruyff’s legacy.
But Virgil stood out as a no-nonsense defender at times, while still possessing the Dutch quality with the ball at his feet. In his early days he said that Barcelona was his logical destination — him being the Dutch Gerard Pique. The only thing his youth coaches wanted him to learn was his leadership skills, his vocal presence. Since then he’s gone on and donned the armband for Groningen, Celtic and Southampton, it’s safe to say they succeeded.
Steven Gerrard has said previously that talent isn’t enough: “You have to be obsessed. Even though they’re your teammates, you’ve got to be obsessed to move them out of the way, and once you’re in, they’re staying out of the way and not coming back. The world ‘talent’ frustrates me. I love talent and I love seeing it, but these players need to understand the other side of the game: fighting, winning, tackling, going where it hurts, letting your lungs burn, really digging deep.”
It’s what separates the world-class players from the good. And the good from the OK. Willpower and sheer determination to be the best. Never back down, never doubt yourself. Pressure fuels will power, but setbacks do even more. And Virgil has had to endure some pretty difficult setbacks.
He lived with his mum, brother and sister when he joined the ranks of Willem II (Sami Hyypia’s old club). At the age of 18, former Manchester City player Alfons Groenendijk deemed him not good enough to make the step up to the first team. Virgil decided to leave. He joined Groningen (Luis Suarez’s old club) and from there his career took off.
In March 2012, halfway into his first full season for Groningen he felt a bit of pain in his stomach — mild complaints. He kept training for three more days. He went to bed early on Thursday, despite the issues worsening. At 3am his roommate took him to the emergency room. They could not find a root cause so they sent him home with a couple of painkillers.
His mum made the three-hour drive the next day. The pain got worse as days went by, he couldn’t eat and was throwing up. His mum took him to another hospital. They discovered he had appendicitis with uraemia and kidney failure on top of other things. He was rushed into surgery and the imminent danger was averted.
For almost a week he was hospitalised, in agony, fighting for his life. He survived and after 10 days he was released and taken to his mum’s place to recover fully. That night Virgil was hospitalised again. This time it was pulmonary edema, which was dealt with adequately by hospital staff.
The experience made him realise how lucky he was. A doctor said that a less fit or older person would not have survived his condition. It was a life-changing experience for a young lad that had so much going for him. Van Dijk himself said: “I realised how lucky I am that my mum, brother, sister and those around me are in good health. How blessed I am I get to play in front of 20,000 people, making a career out of my hobby. All those things that you take for granted, but aren’t normal.”
He started pre season earlier than all his teammates. Driven by his willpower to overcome the ordeal that had kept him out for three months. And he succeeded, gained back the weight he lost, got even fitter than before and had a brilliant season. A season that brought Celtic knocking on Groningen’s doors.
When it comes to Eredivisie players making it abroad, a player usually has to have played around 150 games and at least one, preferably, two seasons at one of the top-three Dutch clubs — Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV. Players need to have experienced certain situations, encountered the highs and lows, made the errors and have a bit of consistency in their game.
Virgil had the option to go to Ajax and, if rumours were true, the other two as well. But Virgil knew that his destiny was elsewhere. He knew that he was built for English football. He had the physical traits to become a real stalwart in English football. But he was very aware of the fact he didn’t have the experience of a top club. And he knew that he needed that before making the next step.
So he joined Celtic as soon as he could. And he hit the ground running. Virgil was almost instantly loved at the club. His willpower and determination came through once again. Earning him the Players’ Player of the Season award in his first season, alongside a league title win. The season after that was even better. He won the league and the league cup, played Champions League football and even reached double figures for goals.
Throughout his time at Celtic Park he ticked all the boxes of an Eredivisie player making it abroad. Playing 181 games over two seasons for a top club and becoming the main man in the process. He was ready for the next step. Another season at Celtic would not have been especially beneficial to his career. He needed to make the next step up and was ready to do so.
When Ronald Koeman called, it seemed the perfect match. Dutch manager, a former Groningen player, a team littered with former Eredivisie players and fellow countrymen. The goalkeeper he used to play with at Celtic. It all made sense. And within weeks he had settled and Southampton looked the real deal. By the end of the season he was Southampton’s best player and as such was awarded the Player of the Season. All familiar sights.
Being their best player and arguably the best centre half in the league in 2016-17, Southampton was another pond that became too small for the lad who had grown into one of the best in the world. There are similarities in the stories of van Dijk and Dirk Kuyt. Every time Dirk went to a new club people questioned whether he could take his game to the next level. Van Dijk has had similar treatment. If that’s anything to go by, Virgil will have a very decent career at Liverpool.
Virgil has taken smart steps throughout his career. He couldn’t break through at Willem II so he moved to Groningen, stayed for two seasons, moved to Celtic where he played two seasons and moved to Southampton. It’s all very linear. No step too steep. So Liverpool is the next logical step.
Anyone can see The Reds’ potential. A young and exciting squad, a top manager who has a track record for improving players, positivity around the club, a big new stand and a great crowd. Van Dijk is no fool, and like most Dutch sportsmen, he’s a bit of a romantic. And that works out well for Liverpool. The club’s heritage speaks for itself.
Crucially for The Reds, he knows what it takes to play for a club that challenges for the league and to win trophies. His willpower and determination saw him succeed everywhere. His leadership on the pitch has seen him take the captain’s armband wherever he’s been.
He may not be the final piece in the jigsaw, but he’s a piece that could take Liverpool a step closer to a complete puzzle.
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Welcome VVD!!!
Okay, Dejan Lovren now has a scapegoat. ;)
No…This is excellent news and I hope there are other reinforcements coming in. I hope there is no pressure on VVD so he can be focused. A big ask in a Red shirt.
Can’t wait to see how our defense improves from here.
Up the Reds!!!
Mr. Klopp, making believers out of us all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnkjvECEQr4
Dirk van Dijk signing could be as big as Mr. Hansen ….
I hope you’re right!
We all do right?
Of course…Now let’s start bringing Man-fucking-City down to earth!
Can’t wait for the return match.
Hey Eric, I thought he struggled at the start of his Celtic days? Injury or something and it affected his form.
But who am I to question a Dutchman!
The statement signing we all wanted, but mainly the one the club needed. This is a pretty seismic development. We have an issue at the back and Klopp’s gone and signed one of Europe’s most in-demand centre-backs. Things are changing with our transfer strategy. That’s Salah, Keita and now Van Dijk. Klopp got them all. You just wouldn’t get this with many other managers.
That’s seems true with Klopp and signings. However I think we may be losing Coutinho. I hope not, but it seems to me likely scenario with a 100 million signing.
That is a genuine fear of mine also. Just not in January. Please not January.
No ambition… not sure anyone can bang on that drum right now. Those same idiots who did previously will probably come out and say he cost too much.
I love the intent of this and hope the fee does not have any negative affect on VVD. Also i hope supporters dont spend every last minute banging on about his fee (like i am now). Fuck what anyone else thinks. Nowadays you’ve clearly got to throw mega stupid money to get anywhere.
Most of all i hope he’s awesome and helps build a really solid defence. New keeper next?
@the Truth I am more concerned about the media and idiot pundits going on about the fee every time he plays or doesn’t play. 100 million is a lot, but when you consider that is what City, Chelsea and United in the EPL have to pay up due to their top club status, then we also have to take the bait.
I think as supporters we need to just let VVD do his job but it is very hard not to judge with that price tag if he doesn’t live up to expectations.
Whatever happens I am happy to see him and Klopp happy. I just hope he helps with the defense. I can’t wait to see how things start to shape up. Who knows maybe even Migs might become a world class keeper. :)
I think its almost impossible to discuss any fee within football without it being ridiculous. We throw around words like expensive, worth it, seems cheap etc when discussing simply sickenimg amounts of money. I’m not sure if top tier football was ever based in an economic reality most of us could really understand but it certainly isn’t now. If anyone of us had any real morals the game would have been boycotted years ago.
So i dont really undertsand why Liverpool fans should get upset about the finances if he fails. Why is 75 million too much of 1 million isn’t?
As for the pundits and press, fuck em. They’re all part of the circuss.
We’ve bought the complete package here. Leader, captain, defender, ball player, goal scorer and winner.
With Keita to come (possibly in Jan) we only need a top class dm and keeper and we will be serious title competitors next season. Really serious.
What if Coutinho and Can leave?
What a glorious time to be a Liverpool fan :)
(no need reminder that we have not won anything yet) we definitely are looked upon with envy by others. We have Klopp as the boss. And he has successfully signed: Mane & Matip by beating other suiters. He has signed Keita, Salah and Ox, and now Van Dijk.
I hope he can now persuade Coutinho to extend his contract with us too.
Doubt Phil will be extending his contract. We have just spent £75m of his Barca fee ;)
You’re probably right, but let’s hope for the best from now until this summer.
Wow Sash. You are on a roll here. Signing van Dijk has energized you that bit?:))
(I am now learning how to spell another new name ; at least until Klopp comes up with a short nick name).
Happy days.
:) Josh, how are you doing?
Yes the signing has given me a bit of lift from our inconsistent showing so far. It suggests a show of faith in Klopp from the owners and also the people who messed up in the summer.
VVD may not be the only answer, at least for me, but is a big step in the right direction if he is what Klopp thinks he is – a leader, good at his job and able to provide that sorely missing cover for the defense.
The caveat might be we could lose both Can and Coutinho. Can I don’t mind so much but Coutinho is instrumental in providing some level of finesse and attack and links up very well with Firmino.
I remain optimistic but I can’t help wondering why VVD was not bought when he played for Celtic and how that would have helped the defense.
Our interest in VVD pre dates Barcas bids for Coutinho.
Excellent point, Michael. And if we progress well in the champions league and also finish 2nd or third in the league, in addition to a good FA cup run, I am somehow confident that Coutinho would stay for a serious push for the title next season.
With Can likely to be gone, we would definitely need another player to compete or rotate with Hendo for that Klopp style #6 role in my opinion. Klopp has never really used defensive holding midfielder so Gini might be able to fill that role.
Our payment of £75m (record defender is ‘just’ £52m) does not predate the Barca bids.
Dont get me wrong. The league is awash with cash and I am not a Fenway basher. Happy we have secured our apparent top target. CL is our’s to lose.
Great signing for Liverpool
Made up with the VVD signing! Hopefully he will form a great partnership with Matip in the short term whilst passing on his expertise to Gomez, who it seems is being lined up for a more central position with us in the future. In my opinion, I reckon Klopp offered him the captaincy as part of the package when they spoke in the summer, which would partly why VVD chose Klopp and LFC over City etc (just a theory, no ITK bollocks).
I just hope we can identify and land a keeper of similar stature, sooner rather than later! I think this will be Migs last season as number one. I don’t like or dislike Karius but if you can’t even oust Migs then maybe he’s not as good as the coaching/management team hoped he would be? I really like Ward and feel gutted for the lad after such a good loan spell at Huddersfield. If I was to pick a keeper who I thought was good enough to improve us but also have a realistic chance of signing him, it would be Jack Butland. Stoke are going backwards under Hughes and Butland might see what’s happening here and be open to such a move? I also reckon Ward could step up too if given a chance and it would make for good competition. Who knows?
Anyway, I’m well chuffed with the VVD signing so let’s see if Klopp has any more aces up his sleeve in January…
I think you have point. I wonder too if he can lead and has been offered the captaincy.
Curious, what makes you think Jack Butland is better than Karius or Ward? And what about other keepers like Schemichel from Leicester?
It’s hard to tell whether or not Butland is actually better than Karius or Ward due to their lack of Premier League game time versus his in order to compare properly. Butland is very confident and able for a 24 year old which would mean his best years are hopefully still ahead of him. Schmeichel is a good shout but not only is he much older (31, which isn’t a bad thing in itself) but I think we’d have a much harder job prising him away from the rich Thai owners of Leicester than we would Butland from Peter Coates at Stoke who seem on a downward spiral right now. Migs isn’t the worst keeper in the world but there are better options out there who are ‘gettable’ I reckon. If Klopp can be ruthless with Sakho and Benteke, surely it’s only a matter of time before Migs is replaced? It’s just whether Karius or Ward get a chance. Looks like City are too far ahead to be caught for a title challenge, so will Klopp trust one of them for the 2nd half of the season whilst still maintaining a top 4 position?
Thanks Lee.
Fair points on Butland and Schmeichel. If Migs is really that bad, for me, I like to see him continue playing until the summer with VVD in the mix.
However if we get another (expensive/top) keeper and he too turns out below par then do you think it is time the Goal keeping coach position needs to be revisited?
Think the John Achterberg question is as old as time itself. I guess he must have dirt on owners past and present to have survived so long! It will be interesting to see what happens to Migs and the goalkeeping position but I do hope it’s addressed sooner rather than later Sash..
A very good read. Well done. One thing though.
“The entire system is around the beauty of football, Johan Cruyff’s legacy.”
Shouldn’t it be Rinus Michels’ legacy?
Oh that’s a good question that. It started between the two, original from Reynolds’ first ideas, who trained Michels. The tactical part is mostly down to Michels but the success is not in thet tactics itself, it’s in the notion of responsibility. If you watch the 1974 Dutch NT they stormed forward, sideways or backwards in packs of 8-9 players. It’s been Cruijff who took a bit of the risk out and outlined the mindset needed to execute these plans without risks.
So yeah, Michels’ obviously has a large role into it. But it’s Cruijff who can call it his own.
Interesting read. Not sure he always makes “smart decisions” about his career though. Signing a long contract extension at Southampton with no buy out clause was dumb as rocks!
Great read that Eric.
Thank you!
Agreed. Well researched and written. Van Dijk expert!!!
For me, Robin Crimes had it nailed in the summer with who we’d buy and our approximate spend- lots blew him out with his estimates of 150m or more- but with Salah, Keita, van Dijk& Oxlade-Chamberlain either bought now or signed for next year, well done Robin!
Yeah Robin was right. I do recall him stating it on a couple of occasions.
Where is Robin nowadays? Have not seen his comments for quite sometimes :) Hope he’s doing fine.
We miss you and your long long comments, Robin. Hope you are still supporting Liverpool, not MU :))
Great read Eric! He’s got it all I feel. Fingers crossed the price tag doesn’t affect him much!