Andy Robertson’s high praise for ex-Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool full-back reckons Dutchman is the best defender in the world

Andy Robertson doesn't have any negatives, according to his Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson ranks club captain 
Virgil van Dijk and manager Jurgen Klopp as the best in the world in their respective roles.

The Reds have enjoyed a golden period over the past two seasons, winning the Champions League in 2019 and sitting 25 points clear in the Premier League table ahead of this month’s planned restart.

Robertson’s dynamic
performances at left-back have been key but the Scotland skipper reserved his highest praise for the team’s on and off-field 
leaders.

“Virg is the best defender in the world, and I love him being on the left-hand side with me,” Robertson, pictured, told Sky Sports’ Football Show.

“The big guy is absolutely class in everything he does. He just carries himself so well on and off the pitch, and is somebody who a lot of people look up to, and I’m one of them.

“He’s a fantastic leader, a fantastic guy. I love playing with him, having him in the back line, and since he signed, he’s brought us forward.”

The pair were both in the SPL at the same time in 2013-14 – with Dundee United and Celtic respectively – and Robertson saw enough not to balk at the £75 million price tag which brought Van Dijk to Anfield.

“I loved him at Celtic and I was delighted when we signed him. It showed that the money spent was worth it,” he added.

Robertson was shown some of Klopp’s similarly effusive praise of his own ability and responded in kind.

“For a manager who I think is the best in the world at the minute… for him to say that about me is really nice,” he said.

“He’s a fantastic man, a fantastic manager, and for him to think I don’t have negatives is great.

“He likes the Scottish 
people, I know he does, he gets on really well with Kenny Dalglish!”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director