Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender should win Ballon dOr ahead of Lionel Messi, says Reds legend John Barnes

Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool defender should win Ballon dOr ahead of Lionel Messi, says Reds legend John Barnes
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk deserves to win this years Ballon dOr after claiming the Champions League title, according to Anfield legend John Barnes.You would struggle to find another player who has made as much of an impact as the Dutchman has in 18 months at Anfield.GETTY2

Virgil van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders by lifting the European Cup

In future years, Van Dijks 75million arrival in January 2018 may be remembered as the starting point of a new era of success for the Merseyside giants people will talk about BVD (before Van Dijk) and AVD (after Van Dijk).In fact, had the club not signed the centre-back or 67m goalkeeper Alisson, Liverpool probably wouldnt be celebrating their sixth European Cup success both were key in their scrappy final victory over Tottenham in Madrid. PFA Player of the Year Van Dijk has cemented his status as one of the world’s best defenders this season, and Barnes believes he would be a worthy winner when the Ballon dOr is awarded later in the year.He is undoubtedly the strongest contender to rival Lionel Messi for the gong.Fans raged last year when World Cup and Champions League winner Luka Modric won the prize ahead of Messi, who finished fifth in the voting despite scoring 45 goals and winning LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles for Barcelona.This season, Messi scored a stunning 51 goals and provided 22 assists in 50 games for Barca, and has been widely tipped to win his SEVENTH Golden Ball.getty2

No opposition player has completed a dribble past Virgil van Dijk in any of his last 64 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool

But, asked if Van Dijk on course to win the coveted gong, Barnes told talkSPORT: Very possibly.Normally when you look at the Ballon dOr winners, theyre either attacking midfield players or centre-forwards. They are goalscorers and eye-catching players.Liverpool's Champions League heroes Van Dijk and Wijnaldum given standing ovation as they join Holland squad

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Portugal vs Switzerland (Wednesday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• Netherlands vs England (Thursday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT
• France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT
• Denmark vs Republic of Ireland (Friday, 7:45pm) talkSPORT 2
• Croatia vs Wales (Saturday, 2pm) talkSPORT
• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT

But there havent been any of those types of players who have really set the world alight this season.So from a point of consistency and from a point of success, for me Van Dijk would have to be the man.

---

City were so close to making it to the last four But it's party time as far as Spurs are concerned and as the final whistle went, the club's star man Harry Kane, who sustained an injury in the first leg, posted a hilarious video on his social media celebrating the result.
Tottenham star Harry Kane posts brilliant celebration video

---

Joel Matip returns from injury to start in central defence, while James Milner comes in for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Naby Keita in midfield completes the trio of alterations made to the side deployed at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. Liverpool: Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson
Predicted Liverpool lineup to face Crystal Palace in the

---

Transfer news LIVE: Coutinho to Liverpool, Man Utd eye Pogba swap, Chelsea, Arsenal gossip TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - All the latest updates and gossip from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and
Manchester United - Transfer News - 15 April 2019
atomicsoda.com/man-utd/transfer-news/15-apr-2019/aldershot-v-man-utd
Liverpool FC in talks with Nike over record-breaking kit deal - report targeted by Real Madrid in Gareth Bale SWAP deal. Arsenal to make late bid for Ander
Papers: Chelsea and Arsenal missed chance to sign Kylian

---

Everton 2-2 Watford: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Digne's Last Gasp Free-Kick Saves the Toffees News Mon 10 Dec 2018 Everton and Watford were involved in a dramatic Monday night game which ended all square at Goodison Park as Lucas Digne grabbed a last minute equaliser for the Toffees.

---

Gary Cahill has been offered to Milan as he seeks a January exit from Chelsea, according to reports. Cahill, the defender, has found his Stamford Bridge role reduced since Maurizio Sarri was
Maurizio Sarri tells Gary Cahill to leave Chelsea with

---

Chelsea will move the Stamford Bridge banner dedicated to Eden Hazard ahead of next season, after the Belgian superstar finally sealed his dream move to Real Madrid.
Eden Hazard pictured holding Real Madrid - football.london

---

Leeds vs Derby live on talkSPORT: Full commentary, free stream and confirmed teams for Championship play-off clash All you need to know to tune into the semi-final tie at Elland Road By Marc Williams
Championship play-off final: When is Aston Villa vs Derby

---

FA reviewing allegations surrounding Andreas Christensen signing see naija March 2, 2019 Leave a comment Chelsea's transfer policy is under more scrutiny after the Football Association launched a review into alleged payments made to Andreas Christensen's father in 2012.
FA Investigating Chelsea for 'Illegal Payments' in Andreas

---

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has warned Liverpool that they will not find a Premier League title challenge as easy as they did last year. which should prove very useful given how
Man City have already started their next rebuild - Tyrone

---

Manchester United have announced reduced quarterly revenue in their latest financial results but insist they remain on track for record annual income. United's revenue of £135million for what is
Manchester United insist annual revenue record in sight

---

Below are key excerpts of highly engaging inspirational news articles reported in the mainstream media. Links are provided to the full, original news articles. If any link fails to function, read this webpage. These inspirational articles are listed by order of importance.
Gary Dretzka « Movie City News
moviecitynews.com/author/gary-dretzka/page/7/?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%
Stoker set the story around the River Wear, in Derbyshire, North East England. In it, young John Lambton skips church one Sunday to go fishing in the Wear. He doesn't catch anything until the church service finishes, at which point he lands a small eel-like creature with nine holes on each side of its salamander-like head.
Picks from KLS Betting

---

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and president Florentino Perez must clear up talk surrounding a potential transfer to the Chinese Super League, according to Dani Carvajal.. Perez revealed on
Sergio Ramos asked to leave Real Madrid on free transfer

---

The three-time World Cup winner claimed that Lionel Messi "only has one skill" and "only shoots with one leg." However, one Barcelona fan responded to Pelé's remarks with an amazingly detailed thread on Twitter. Agree or disagree with the fan's reality check thread? Let us know in the comments.
Pele says Neymar is better than Lionel Messi | Daily Mail Online

---