Last time Virgil van Dijk visited the Nou Camp, he was part of a Celtic defence which conceded SIX goals to Barcelona during a Champions League battering.
The new PFA Player of the Year will be keen to avenge that night when he returns with Liverpool for the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.
2
Neymar put Van Dijk and Celtic to the sword
But his former Celtic team-mate, Joe Ledley, insists the Dutchman shouldn’t regret the humbling in Spain – because he stopped Barcelona scoring even more.
“We weren’t at it at all,” Ledley, now at Derby, told The Sun. “Virgil, and credit to him, he was brilliant. It could have been a lot more without him.”
Neymar tore the Celtic defence to shreds with a hat-trick on the night back in December 2013 – and tonight Van Dijk faces the ominous task of keeping Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi quiet.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
Van Dijk has become one of the best defenders in the world – and Liverpool boast Europe’s tightest defence thanks largely to his influence.
While Ledley thinks the world of his former team-mate, he fears the brilliant Argentine may prove too much to handle.
“Messi drifts in and out of games and you don’t see him at times. When you do see him you are struggling,” Ledley added.
“He can change a game whenever he wants. It will be difficult for Liverpool because Barcelona are a fantastic team. They have had a fantastic season and hopefully they can continue it.
“But I’ve not been surprised by the rise of Virgil at all. We could see straight away from when he signed at Celtic how good he was.
2
Joe Ledley was speaking at a McDonald’s Fun Football Centre
“He was so calm and had everything. He could hit shots, win headers, he’s strong, quick and you could see back then how good of a player he was going to be.
“People disrespect Scottish football and say he should be doing that in that division but he was waiting for the opportunity and Southampton came in.
“I was surprised he went under the radar and other clubs didn’t snap him up as £10million was a steal.
“He’s quietly got on with his job but you could see the ability he had.
LIVE ON talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...
- Swansea vs Derby (Wedndesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Barcelona vs Liverpool (Wednesday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
- Cardiff vs Crystal Palace (Saturday 5:30pm) – talkSPORT
“It was great to play alongside him, he was brilliant for Celtic and he’s gone on from strength to strength every season since.
“He’s still young and Liverpool is a big club to play for but he’s gone in there and done his job.
“He’s got the experience of playing for Celtic and that has helped him. He’s a fantastic player.”
Ledley was speaking at a McDonald’s Fun Football Centre. The Fun Football programme is designed to introduce children to football and you can register for a session at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/
This video is unavailable. Watch Queue Queue. Watch Queue Queue
Maurizio Sarri pictured storming out of Chelsea's final
Over dependence on Alexandre Lacazette and Peirre-Emerick Aubameyang can cause problem for Unai Emery in the Europa League final…. Arsenal will be playing their second major European final in the last 13 years as they gear up to take on city rivals Chelsea in the final of UEFA Europa League in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Unai Emery explains what made him proud of Arsenal Europa
James Milner has revealed the reason behind his strange goal celebration after scoring in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Cardiff . Midfielder Milner converted an 81st minute penalty with an emphatic
mohamed Archives | Latest News, Latest football transfer news
Laurence Bassini exclusive: Bolton buyer vows to lead club
If he leaves in the summer, Frank Lampard could be the perfect replacement. Craig Burley and Frank Leboeuf feel both Eden Hazard and Chelsea would benefit from Hazard moving to Real Madrid
Frank Lampard to manage Chelsea? He could be the perfect
talkSPORT.com round up all the latest transfer news and football […] Hazard WILL join Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane is 'obsessed' with Paul Pogba, De Ligt not interested in Premier League move - Fussboll
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: De Ligt, Pogba and Hazard latest
Neymar says pre-Copa knee injury just a scare. Neymar limps out of Brazil training before Copa. Neymar lost Brazil's captaincy for the Copa America to veteran Dani Alves. Tite, the
HOME RAID HELL Brendan Rodgers' 'shaken' family quit Glasgow home early to join ex-Celtic manager in Leicester after raid ordeal at the hands of masked robbers
The Spanish Jamie Vardy: From almost quitting football to a
gistjunction.com/2019/03/27/the-spanish-jamie-vardy-from-almost-quitting-football-to-a-spain-debut-at-30-jaime-mata-is-one-of-the-great-underdog-stories/
PREVIOUS POST Previous post: John Hartson says Brendan Rodgers 'let the Celtic family down' by leaving for Leicester City and should have 'seen out the job' NEXT POST Next post: Alastair Cook: Former England captain hits unbeaten 150 for Essex in first innings since Test retirement
Brendan Rodgers was too much like David Brent to - dofaq.co
Manchester City could reportedly hand Roma legend Daniele De Rossi the chance to become part of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium next season.. De Rossi has made more than 600
Daniele De Rossi could get coaching role under Pep Guardiola
Charlton take on Sunderland in the League One play-off final Now they have the chance to get back in England's second tier with victory at their Wembley showdown this weekend. talkSPORT will have full, comprehensive coverage of the big game as this season's thrilling League One campaign comes to an end.
Celtic v Rangers preview: Old Firm team news and likely line-ups ahead of showdown CELTIC face Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season tomorrow. By Ollie Salt
Rangers vs Celtic: Old Firm derby preview and team news as
Derby boss Frank Lampard has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for his behaviour following their 2-2 draw with Birmingham on Friday. The former Chelsea star confronted
Derby boss Frank Lampard hit with FA misconduct charge
Manchester City will attempt to complete a domestic treble as they meet Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's men would become the first side to complete a
Manchester City Complete Historic Treble with 6-0 Win over
Barcelona superstar Luis Suarez has promised not to celebrate if he scores against his former club Liverpool in the Champions League semifinal clash. Liverpool will host the reigning Spanish champions Barcelona in the return leg of their semifinal clash at Anfield on Tuesday night, May 7, having lost the first leg 3-0 at Nou Camp.
Barcelona's Luis Suárez promises not to celebrate if he
No comments:
Post a Comment