We read with interest Virgil Van Dijk’s comments today about his return from injury, a severe knee injury, which of course killed his entire season last campaign.
The 30-year old defender, widely regarded as the world’s best (well, until his injury anyway), has been on the long road back to fitness but his comments today on how it’s going are intriguing:
Now, what’s the big stand-out here? The fact that VVD IS playing those games. That he gained physical fitness and now the road to getting match sharpness and form back lies ahead – by playing matches.
Indeed the big Dutchman has played every match this season of a resurgent Liverpool’s campaign, and while he’s not yet at his vintage world class best, he’s getting there.
Our point?
Look at the difference between Liverpool’s treatment of Van Dijk, and Steven Gerrard’s of Niko Katic.
Exactly the same situation, a big strong stopper, but our manager comes out with how he needs minutes so he has to go out on loan.
Liverpool’s stopper, on the other hand, is given his minutes with his club.
It shows just how differently both players are seen by their managers.
Make no mistake, had this been Goldson, he’d have been back in the team the second he was fit again. But in Katic’s case, Gerrard comes out with hogwash about him needing minutes and how he can only get them away from Rangers.
Well, it’s not strictly hogwash – he can only get them away from Rangers because our manager doesn’t rate the Croat.
It’s a shame, and Van Dijk’s quotes show that the best way to get the best out of your player coming back from injury is to trust him and use him.
Not send him away.