07/05/2020
*Ex United star compares Van Dijk to Cantona*
Former United defender Gary Pallister has compared Virgil van Dijkâs impact at Liverpool to the one made by Manchester United icon Eric Cantona when he signed for Sir Alex Fergusonâs team.
Van Dijkâs arrival from Southampton prompted a change in Liverpoolâs fortunes, with Jurgen Kloppâs side the runaway Premier League leaders this season - after winning the Champions League last term.
This is what Pallister said to the MIrror and his Cantona comparison:
âHeâs a bit like Cantona was for us, that final piece of the jigsaw.
âLiverpool were looking for a really dominant centre half to take them to the next level and they found that in Virgil van Dijk.
âI always remember a good friend of mine, Tony Mowbray, talking about Van Dijk a year or so before he went to Liverpool.
âHe was saying, âI canât believe one of the top four teams havenât bought him because he looks a real exceptional playerâ.
âThen Liverpool paid what seemed to be over the odds for his services and he has taken to it like a duck to water.
âHe is a pivotal figure, a leader that you need in your back four, the final piece of the jigsaw. He has been superb since he has been there.â