Former Premier League striker and pundit Chris Sutton believes David O’Brien – aka Statman Dave – was wrong to omit Liverpool‘s Virgil van Dijk from his Premier League Team of the Season.
The campaign came to a close on Sunday as Manchester City clinched the title in dramatic fashion, coming from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium. The Reds beat Wolves 3-1, but it was ultimately not enough to clinch the title.
It has still been a fantastic season for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and four Liverpool players made Statman Dave’s XI. However, Van Dijk was not included, which shocked Sutton. He wrote on Twitter: “Matip and Rudiger ahead of Van Dijk?? … you’re so much better than this.”
TIF Thoughts on Van Dijk…
Once again, Van Dijk has enjoyed a fantastic campaign, playing 34 times in the Premier League as the Reds finished second in the top flight. However, as per WhoScored, his performances this term were below what they have been in the past.
Should van Dijk have been included?
Yes
No
Matip was a crucial member of Klopp’s team, while Antonio Rudiger was also a consistent performer for Chelsea this term. It is perhaps only due to Van Dijk’s incredibly high standards that he did not make this particular Team of the Season, although he was included in the Premier League’s official side, so there is no doubting the Dutchman’s quality.
And having come back from a long-term injury that he suffered in the previous campaign, to reach those standards again this season would have been an incredibly tough ask – though it seems he has returned to the Liverpool side seamlessly as they remained on course for a historic quadruple this deep into May.