‘I loved to attack in those days, so you got a bit of a feeling how attackers might think in certain situations’: Virgil van Dijk reveals street football is why he excels in one on one situations
- Virgil van Dijk has lifted lid on what has helped him against the best forwards
- Ended last season with no opponent completing dribble past him in 64 matches
- The likes of Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard failed to beat Holland star
Virgil van Dijk has revealed that playing street football while he was growing up is the reason why is good in one on one situations.
The PFA Player of the Year ended last season with no opponent completing a dribble past him in a staggering 64 matches.
And now the Liverpool centre back has lifted the lid on what has helped him when coming up against the best forwards in the Premier League and Champions League.
Virgil van Dijk has revealed that playing street football is the reason why is good at one vs ones
‘I have had the benefit of a lot of one vs ones by playing a lot on the streets,’ he told Unisport.
‘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.’
He has been keeping fitness levels up this summer by training at Rangers’ pre-season camp
The likes of Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard all failed to beat the Holland defender in a one vs one situation during the last campaign.
Van Dijk helped Liverpool finish second in the Premier League and lift the Champions League trophy just last month.
The 27-year-old has been keeping his fitness levels up this summer and was recently pictured training at Rangers’ pre-season camp in Portugal.
Van Dijk ended last season with no opponent completing a dribble past him in 64 matches