‘It starts with leading by example’ – Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk says he tries to lead by example on and off the field and believes he could be born with the gift of being an effective leader.

The Red’s captain, in an interview with former Manchester United center-back, Rio Ferdinand discussed a range of topics that give an insight into his exemplary lifestyle as captain of Liverpool and Netherlands.

On the importance of his well-being, Van Dijk said he is in the right place physically and mentally.

“I feel fit, I am fit, I do a lot of things in order to be fit and I stay fit, you can see obviously apart from the year I got my injury I think I’ve played almost the most games of the team, so obviously staying fit is a big thing in my way of life, and in order to do that you obviously need to make sure you eat well, rest well, and I’ve got a little team around me that makes sure that’s the case, and I think if you want to stay at the top then that’s definitely a major thing”

The 32-year-old revealed that he has a chef, a fitness coach, a massage and treatment specialist, and he feels the benefit as it costs a lot of work, even though he thinks it is normal as an elite athlete.

Virgil Van Dijk and his Liverpool teammates have been enjoying a brilliant start to the season, winning 12 out of 14 games, drawing away at rivals Arsenal last weekend and the only defeat coming surprisingly against Nottingham Forest at home. A defeat the captain said was a reality check for the team.

Alongside Ibrahama Konate, the two have formed an impressive pairing at the back for Liverpool, conceding the least goals (5) in the league this season.

He explained how adapting to on-field strategies and leadership dynamics has been key to his performances and his trademark long ranges passes across the pitch mostly to Mohamed Salah.

“There are small tweaks you have to see on the pitch and have to discuss. Everyone has to take responsibility for helping the team, but obviously for us at the back, it is a bit more visual. We actually see what is happening. If I get the ball and strikers coming and I see our three midfielders are man-marked, then that means that at a certain point, one of our players is one-on-one upfront and is free so I play the long diagonal there and then he can take it on his chest and go 1-v-1.”

Van Dijk also said he enjoys the evolution of his role as a center-back over the years. Starting from FC Groningen in the Netherlands where they barely had possession of the ball to playing in a Liverpool team now which is used to dominating games. He admitted the modern era of defending means you don’t only think about your own game, but also your teammates and be ready to step in and organize as the leader.

Watch full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkTavCELzR8

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