Van Dijk is a film star on the pitch, says Garth Crooks

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been likened to a film star by Garth Crooks after another sensational performance during the Red’s 2-1 win over Tottenham at the weekend. 

Van Dijk, 27, was in imperious form at Wembley, stifling the Spurs attack while also forming a formidable bulwark alongside Joe Gomez, which kept Harry Kane quiet for 90 minutes.

The Dutchman has been highly praised in recent weeks for his role in tightening up Liverpool’s defence, and he produced another commanding performance on Saturday.

The Reds have only conceded twice this season – Erik Lamela’s late strike and one against Leicester City two weeks ago – whereas they had already conceded four at this stage last campaign.

In the wake of the match, Crooks listed both Van Dijk and Gomez in his BBC Sport team of the week column, heaping praise on the centre-back pairing and, in particular, Van Dijk.

He wrote: “Harry Kane never had a kick. Virgil van Dijk was too big, too strong and too composed on the ball. In times like these when centre-backs look imperious, strikers have to ruffle feathers and the England captain simply wasn’t prepared to have a scrap.

“If ever there was a day for Harry and the boys to get among it and stick their heads in the faces of Liverpool’s defenders then this was it. Instead, Van Dijk walked on to the pitch looking like a film star and walked off with the Oscar for best leading man.”

Victory for Liverpool kept their unbeaten run intact and they now sit atop of the Premier League alongside Chelsea, with both sides winning their opening five matches.

Gomez: a future England captain?

Van Dijk may be taking most of the plaudits for his dominant presence in Klopp’s back-line, but one man who continues to go from strength to strength is Joe Gomez.

The 21-year-old has drawn widespread adulation for flourishing alongside Van Dijk and was reinstated into the England fold over the international break for his stellar start to the campaign.

Such has been his form that Crooks believes the Charlton academy graduate has all the makings of not only a future England star, but also future England captain.

He wrote: “The tackle by Joe Gomez on Lucas Moura in the second half of Liverpool’s win at Tottenham would have stopped a mail train.

“I said two weeks ago, after Liverpool’s impressive victory at Leicester, that this kid was the best defender I’ve seen in years. In fact, I said something far more profound than that but I’m not going to repeat it for fear of jinxing the lad.

“What I will say is Gomez is a future England captain if ever I saw one.”

Next up for Liverpool is their opening Champions League group match against PSG on Tuesday night.

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