Virgil van Dijk FINALLY gets elite recognition we all wanted to see

Virgil van Dijk is finally getting the elite recognition that we all wanted to see. The Liverpool captain deserves it.

Virgil van Dijk will go down as one of the greatest and most impactful signings in Liverpool’s history. Most would put him up there in the top five - maybe even three?

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The Reds paid a world-record fee for a defender in order to sign him but it was instantly worth the cash. Van Dijk transformed Liverpool from a decent, top-four team into one competing in the UEFA Champions League final within just a few months.

A year later, they were champions of Europe. A year after that they’re the English champions for the first time in 30 years.

It can all be traced back to Van Dijk’s arrival. Liverpool had been one of the most inconsistent defences in England. The Dutchman instantly made them one of the best in Europe.

Next Sunday, Van Dijk will become the first Liverpool captain to raise the title in front of fans for 30 years. And so it’s fitting that he’s now getting the kind of recognition reserved for true Anfield greats.

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Virgil van Dijk gets Anfield mural

Fans have been noticing around Anfield that a new mural for Virgil van Dijk is currently underway. It’s still a work in progress, of course, but should be completed comfortably in time for the final game of the season.

Van Dijk is the latest of his era to get the mural treatment. Both Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino have prominent murals in the Anfield area - as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Then, of course, there are the likes of Steven Gerrard, Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush. Van Dijk joins the group as one of the most celebrated Liverpool stars in history.

And it’s long overdue. Van Dijk has been one of the faces of this great team ever since arriving and as we say, you can trace the recent success back to his arrival.

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This is the absolute least he should have, in all truth and we’re thrilled to see the recognition. Van Dijk is part of the pantheon of Liverpool greats - and now he’s immortalised as exactly that.