Alex Bruce was left amazed by the defending of Virgil van Dijk during the early stages of Liverpool’s win over Sheffield United on Wednesday after the centre-back denied Cameron Archer.
Bruce was speaking on BBC Radio Five Live after the Blades striker saw an attempt at Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal blocked by the Dutchman. Virgil van Dijk played a key role in Liverpool’s win at Bramall Lane. It was the Reds skipper who opened the scoring shortly before the break.
Alex Bruce amazed by Virgil van Dijk during Liverpool win Archer looked to be sprinting towards goal. But just as he broke into the box, van Dijk calmly stepped across and made a block at the perfect time to ensure that Kelleher had no save to make. Certainly, Alex Bruce was hugely impressed by the 32-year-old.
“Fantastic defending from Virgil van Dijk,” he told BBC Radio Five Live. “He didn’t panic and just when he needed to, he stepped across. Powerful, big frame. Wonderful defending!”
But defensively, he was brilliant. And perhaps his best piece of work came when Sheffield United did superbly to break down their left-hand side, getting away from Ibrahima Konate.
