Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville named Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as his player of the year while claiming that 'no-one comes close' to the Dutchman in the running for the award.
The 27-year-old has been imperious since arriving at Anfield in January 2018 for £75m, with this season seeing him play a vital role
Speaking during Sky Sports' broadcast at St. Mary's, where the Reds secured a 3-1 win to return to the summit of the table, Neville has admitted that Van Dijk deserves all the plaudits he gets due to his form for Liverpool.
As quoted by The Mirror, he said: "
"However, watching him in this last 12 months, everyone has given him the praise he deserves.
Honestly, every time I watch Liverpool play, even if Matip misses it or two full-backs aren’t there because they’ve gone forward, he just seems to cover the whole back four - he is a unique defender."
Gary Neville on Virgil van Dijk:
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 6, 2019
"He can head, his defending is brilliant, on the ball he's a joke. He passes the ball like a midfielder. One hundred per cent he is the player of the year. I don't think anybody has even got close to him."
Big words from the #MUFC legend! pic.twitter.com/oJbLn6MAon
Van Dijk's performances this season has meant the Reds have a realistic chance of ending a 29-year wait for winning a league title, with the centre-back likely to be in contention for individual awards at the end of the season, as the former Manchester United defender revealed his vote would go to him.
He added: "
"In possession play, his passing is a joke. It’s unbelievable, he passes like a central midfield player, for me he’s the player in the team where everyone will say he’s the one that can’t get injured.
Source : 90min