Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has singled out Conor Bradley for praise for the way he kept Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior quiet in last night's big game in the Champions League. The young right-back has become more of a key player for Liverpool this season after the summer departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and with Jeremie Frimpong struggling for both fitness and form since he joined from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spanish outlet claims that Van Dijk and his representatives fought until the last minute to secure a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. Van Dijk reached out to Real Madrid to join them His agents are said to have reached out to intermediaries in Spain in a bid to establish direct contact with Real Madrid's hierarchy, hoping to explore the possibility of a move.
When you're a centre half and you're a big player, last year we were on about who was going to stay and he signed a big contract, then you're giving up loads of goals. I'd be looking at him and asking what are you doing'? Particularly as a big leader of the team. A couple of years ago we talked about United parking the bus here and we were critical. Now they've scored two today and two last year and you're the centre half.
Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.
Van Dijk's long-range strike against Malta showcases his attacking capabilities, a rare event for a defender, and echoes the quality of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.