Virgil van Dijk has revealed he is driven to be Liverpool’s on-pitch leader by watching American sporting superstars LeBron James and Tom Brady.
Newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year Van Dijk has improved Jurgen Klopp’s defence massively since his arrival from Southampton last January in a £75million deal that remains a world record for a defender. But, despite his immense qualities as arguably the world’s best centre-back, the Netherlands international reckons his leadership is his greatest strength.
“That’s who I am,” said Van Dijk, who captains his country.
“In my position, you have to lead, organise players and be an example. I know what I want. I’ve never been quiet. If I think about something, I’ll always open my mouth and tell you.
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“Look at LeBron James in basketball or Tom Brady in the NFL. They are proper leaders, who are among the best in their sports of all time. They are under immense pressure every day, but they still show their team-mates what can be achieved and inspire them to bigger heights.
“I want to get the best out of myself, but I also like helping the players around me to make the most of themselves, too.”
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James, who is a Liverpool fan, has won three NBA championships with Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers and had got to the NBA final for seven years in a row until missing out this season. Brady has quarterbacked New England Patriots to a record six Super Bowl victories — including this year at age 41 — and appeared in three more.
Van Dijk skippered Liverpool earlier this season in a 4-0 Champions League group game against Red Star Belgrade. Many Reds fans would like to see him get the armband full-time, with current skipper Jordan Henderson not always a starter in Klopp's midfield.
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“I like to be involved," he said. "I captained Under-18 teams in the Netherlands and I love that responsibility.
“You talk to guys, you find out what’s going on with them. So, to have been here at Liverpool, a club with such huge history, for only a year, that was a very proud moment to be captain.”
Now Van Dijk is desperate to beat Barcelona at Anfield in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday after losing 3-0 in the Nou Camp last week.
