Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has changed the way team defended since he joined the club in Jaunary 2018. Liverpool defense currently has the best record in English top division, conceding just 20 goals in 36 games in this campaign. The PFA player of the season 2019 has had a huge impact this season with no player being able to get past him in one-one-one situations in Premier League. Many believed that he would be the key to stopping Barcelona star Lionel Messi in first leg of Champions League semi-final but it went horribly wrong for the Dutch defender.
The 27-year-old almost looked helpless against the scathing attack of Barcelona. The visitors scored three goals with Luis Suarez drawing first blood in the 26th minute and Messi scored on rebound followed by a mesmerising free kick in the 82nd minute.
Not surprisingly, netizens trolled Dijk and Liverpool fans who felt that Messi won’t be able to dribble past him:
Watching, learning and appreciating greatness. A true student of the game, Virgil Van Dijk. pic.twitter.com/w1BfyDkEz6
— RIP Night King (@shanu_sas) May 1, 2019
Really pulled it off
Van Dijk really pulled off this meme. You hate to see it. pic.twitter.com/ofx1V6Y86p
— juniuer (@juniuer) May 1, 2019
Help! Anyone?
Van dijk asking teammates for help because he couldn’t handle Messi alone…Barca 3-0 Liverpool pic.twitter.com/L4WIcsHXb2
— Dalton Vrekaj (@Dalton1516) May 1, 2019
Barcelona fans everytime Messi dribbled past Dijk
Liverpool fans: Van Dijk is the best CB in the world Messi can’t dribble past him.
Messi: #BARLIV
pic.twitter.com/NOag26YqTD— Kamle™ (@KamleOfficial) May 1, 2019
The best seat in the house
Van Dijk went all the way to Camp Nou to get the best view of the Lionel Messi goal. pic.twitter.com/ae7gXVhG9V
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) May 1, 2019
Maybe!
Did Van Dijk try to stop Messi with his mind or something? pic.twitter.com/oIXYTJZfc5
— Juan Velazquez (@JuanDirection58) May 1, 2019
What are you doing guys?
Van dijk whenever messi gets the ball
“Follow him please” pic.twitter.com/eFrF6pTupJ
— ń (@RilwanNajib) May 1, 2019
When Messi gets the ball
Vandijk: pic.twitter.com/LiOgDQ9jMU
— Senior Man (@olayemi2810) May 2, 2019
Liverpool Centre-back will have another chance to prove himself as Liverpool takes on Barcelona in the second leg of Champions League semi-final at Anfield. Maybe the Liverpool defender will have answers the next time the Argentine tries to dribble past him.
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