Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum has praised the Reds' evolution under Jurgen Klopp and lauded the performances of Virgil van Dijk in a recent interview with the club.
After losing only once in the Premier League and amassing 97 points, Liverpool softened the blow of missing out on the league title by winning their sixth Champions League trophy in Madrid.
Their consistency last season was built on grit and determination that allowed them to win games, even when they didn't perform at their best.
In an interview with the club's official website, Wijnaldum said:
"We started really well and we managed to win difficult games where in the past it was quite difficult and if we didn't play really well we didn't win the games that were really tough.
"But this season we managed to win those games. We learned a lot. Everyone is a better player than they were before."
A key part of Liverpool's excellent season was the presence of PFA Players' Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool's timeline with Van Dijk:
— Señor (@EnRouteAnfield) June 18, 2019
2017:
• Interested
• End interest and apologise
2018:
• Sign him for £75m (world record)
• Make it to UCL final
2019:
• Best defence in the world
• Win the UCL with a clean sheet
An absolute Colossus.
Wijnaldum praised his countryman, saying:
"He developed really well at Celtic and Southampton and Liverpool, he developed a lot.
"What also impressed me is that other players play better when he plays; the defenders next to him defend better, the players in front of him play better because when you play and you know he's behind you, you have a safe feeling."
Source : 90min