comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
I don't know why Liverpool fans bother with some topics. It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time. You expect this mob mentality to accept that?
If Rio or Vidic had ever done that we would have needed to move to Mars to escape the giddiness and "world class defending."
I mean we are still hearing about Rooney's bicycle kick, which he badly shinned and was lucky to get on target. I've seen it called the greatest goal of all time on the United board.
This week alone I've seen better goals when watching highlights shows of the Belarus Premier League.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It wasn't bad defending. But it wasn't world class either. I knew from the age of about 7 to suss out opponents in the first few minutes. Work out if they are left or right footed and force them onto their foot where appropriate. At PL level the players all know each other and are hand fed lots of data. VVD knows that Sissoko can't finish and even less so on his left foot. He also knows that Son is 10 times more dangerous in front of goal. Basic stuff really. The best bit about it was how he regulated his speed to cut out the passing line, but to elevate it to some piece of brilliance that only the best are capable of is hyperbole.
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
It was indeed great defending.
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
If Sissoko had continued running with the ball with any purpose as opposed to stuttering like a nervous teenager and slowing down to 50% speed. Then VVD would have been punished.
Son, Eriksen, Kane, Rose, Alli all in that situation would have had a much higher percentage chance. As it stands Sissoko is just really useless in the final third.
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 30 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Schoolboy defending was on show in the CL game against Athletico.
But a couple of bad games isn't a yardstick for a player who has been very good since joining liverpool for a world record fee
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well actually you did, you said it was basic and schoolboy stuff but let's not get caught up in that. I can accept your opinion that you think it was just good defending and not world class, although I wholeheartedly disagree, as you're one of the United fans on here that normally give a close to balanced view.
But I repeat, anybody who thinks it was basic defending or he was running away or any such nonsense, doesn't understand football as he absolutely did the right thing.
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well actually you did, you said it was basic and schoolboy stuff but let's not get caught up in that. I can accept your opinion that you think it was just good defending and not world class, although I wholeheartedly disagree, as you're one of the United fans on here that normally give a close to balanced view.
But I repeat, anybody who thinks it was basic defending or he was running away or any such nonsense, doesn't understand football as he absolutely did the right thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, I said showing a player onto his weak foot and cutting out the pass is basic/schoolboy stuff. TOOR is making out like you have to have great understanding of the game to see what good defending it was. Which is absolute BS. The theory behind the defending was as basic as it gets. Sissoko can't finish on his right foot, never mind his left foot. The chance of him scoring was probably about 2%. If he hadn't dithered so much he could have got a pass off to Son around the 30 yard mark, as VVD had gone a little bit too far towards goal. I'd have fancied Son to take the chance from there. Other than that VVD defended well in the situation and applied some pressure as Sissoko took the shot, but overall it fairly basic stuff made easier by the fact Sissoko can't finish his dinner.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time.
———
Can we not let this one slip by without getting the attention it deserves.
comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 13 seconds ago
It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time.
———
Can we not let this one slip by without getting the attention it deserves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
not Ledley on Robben, or that infamous Luiz clearance vs Spain. It’s this
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
It’s actually this.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EZTVXydsMaw
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
All of this because Diafol light-heartedly said VVD was good at 'running away' from the player with the ball.
It was good, sensible defending, and absolutely the right thing to do in the situation, but nothing that hasn't been done before.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 2 hours, 24 minutes ago
It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time.
———
Can we not let this one slip by without getting the attention it deserves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Crazy isn't it?
This still going?
Bog standard defending
Weak jealous mancs.
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 19 minutes ago
This still going?
Bog standard defending
Weak jealous mancs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Showing a player to his weak foot and not letting him pass to a far more talented player is basic defending. He still executed it well. And I still think that he is the best CB around.
Yeah that's why a lot of 2 on 1s in the box end up in row Q.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Sign in if you want to comment
Myths in football
Page 8 of 9
6 | 7 | 8 | 9
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
I don't know why Liverpool fans bother with some topics. It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time. You expect this mob mentality to accept that?
If Rio or Vidic had ever done that we would have needed to move to Mars to escape the giddiness and "world class defending."
I mean we are still hearing about Rooney's bicycle kick, which he badly shinned and was lucky to get on target. I've seen it called the greatest goal of all time on the United board.
This week alone I've seen better goals when watching highlights shows of the Belarus Premier League.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It wasn't bad defending. But it wasn't world class either. I knew from the age of about 7 to suss out opponents in the first few minutes. Work out if they are left or right footed and force them onto their foot where appropriate. At PL level the players all know each other and are hand fed lots of data. VVD knows that Sissoko can't finish and even less so on his left foot. He also knows that Son is 10 times more dangerous in front of goal. Basic stuff really. The best bit about it was how he regulated his speed to cut out the passing line, but to elevate it to some piece of brilliance that only the best are capable of is hyperbole.
posted on 7/4/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/4/20
It was indeed great defending.
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
posted on 7/4/20
Tl;dr
posted on 7/4/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
posted on 7/4/20
If Sissoko had continued running with the ball with any purpose as opposed to stuttering like a nervous teenager and slowing down to 50% speed. Then VVD would have been punished.
Son, Eriksen, Kane, Rose, Alli all in that situation would have had a much higher percentage chance. As it stands Sissoko is just really useless in the final third.
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 30 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Schoolboy defending was on show in the CL game against Athletico.
But a couple of bad games isn't a yardstick for a player who has been very good since joining liverpool for a world record fee
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well actually you did, you said it was basic and schoolboy stuff but let's not get caught up in that. I can accept your opinion that you think it was just good defending and not world class, although I wholeheartedly disagree, as you're one of the United fans on here that normally give a close to balanced view.
But I repeat, anybody who thinks it was basic defending or he was running away or any such nonsense, doesn't understand football as he absolutely did the right thing.
posted on 7/4/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 47 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
I thought it was pretty basic to be fair. Sissoko is the worst finisher in the league. And he was on his left foot. Any defender with half a brain makes sure he can't pass to Son and trusts that he will miss or the keeper will save it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's the point I thought, feck this, I can't cope with this level of understanding of the game, I'm out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Level of understanding? Show a player onto his weak foot? Cut out a passing line to prevent the ball going to the far more talented player? It's schoolboy stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, it is indeed schoolboy stuff to attempt what VVD did. You're taught it from a young age but few have the ability to do what he did. It's amazing that a world class piece of defending is not only not labelled world class but passed off as schoolboy stuff. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the game.
The is a litany of praise for the world class defending VVD showed here, from fellow professionals and sports analysts. Why is that the case for schoolboy defending?
Martin Keown, for example.
This game swung Liverpool’s way the moment Virgil van Dijk did just enough to force Moussa Sissoko to blaze over the bar when clean through on goal.
It was a magnificent piece of defending. You will not find it in any coaching manual.
With Tottenham mounting a quick counter-attack, Van Dijk found himself outnumbered with Sissoko running with the ball to his left and Son Heung-min available for a pass on his right.
What sets Van Dijk apart is the way he thinks clearly in the most pressurised moments.
He knew that if Son was put through, the ball would be in the back of the net. Sissoko, by contrast, has not scored all season.
Van Dijk positioned himself to block the pass at all costs while closing down Sissoko just enough to force him into a snap shot.
His smart, instinctive thinking in the heat of battle earned Liverpool a crucial win.
BBC Sport pundit Matthew Etherington has praised the ‘unbelievable defending’ of Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
The Dutch international kept his cool in a key moment during the second half of his team’s 2-1 win over Spurs at Anfield, not allowing Moussa Sissoko to take advantage of a two-on-one situation in the visitors favour.
Etherington was blown away: “It was incredible defending,” he told the Football Daily podcast [03:38]. “As soon as it happened I just went ‘wow, that is unbelievable defending’.
“To make those quick decisions in that small amount of time… Firstly he was trying to cut off the pass to Son [Heung-min], then he was thinking ‘right if I cut out that pass there it won’t take me out of the game there and Son’s one-on-one with the ‘keeper’, then ‘OK, Sissoko’s right-footed so I’m going to show him onto his left foot and when he does shift it to his left foot I’ll try and make a challenge’.
“All those quick decisions in that short amount of time is just unbelievable defending and that’s what the best players do: they make those decisions quickly.”
OPINION
This was a world class bit of defending from Van Dijk and is probably something that he alone was capable of. Most other defenders, you would think, would have committed to one action or the other in an attempt to force Sissoko’s hand. They would probably be hoping for the best there. Van Dijk, though, as Etherington says, quickly assessed his options and decided that the best thing to do was to remain fairly neutral and cut off the pass to Son, thus forcing Sissoko to go it alone on his weaker left foot. It worked: the Frenchman smashed the ball well over the bar. What made this all the more impressive is that it came at a crucial time for the Reds. It was 1-1 in the game and Liverpool were pushing forward in a 4-2-4 formation. If Spurs had scored it would have been a critical blow to the hosts’ title hopes. Van Dijk, though, prevented that from happening.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino perfectly summed up the influence of Virgil van Dijk after his side's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
"That shows why Liverpool paid more than £70m for Van Dijk." he told Sky Sports.
In the 84th minute Spurs burst on the counter attack when Harry Kane released Heung-Min Son.
Son then squared it to Moussa Sissoko, who was in acres of space, but the French midfielder couldn't provide the finishing touch thanks to a masterclass in defending from Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk positioned himself perfectly to block the potential pass, while closing down Sissoko, just enough to force him into a shooting position.
The defender forced the Spurs midfielder to have a pop on his weaker left foot and his shot went over.
Van Dijk went on to explain his thought process behind this piece of defending after the full-time whistle, and it's clear that the Dutchman did his homework before kick-off.
"I see Sissoko and I know he's right footed" he said. "and Son normally finishes these chances, so yeah, I decide from that."
Most would have committed to either Son or Sissoko too early, but van Dijk was composed and diligent in his thinking.
And that is why he is one of the world's best defenders.
ESPN - Van Dijk admits that he may talk too much, but the talking shows how he views soccer: as a test of intelligent, collective positioning. He values brain over brawn. Asked by the Algemeen Dagblad about his fellow physical-super-specimen Sergio Ramos, he replied: "I don't think Ramos is the best of this moment. Ramos is a wonderful player, but he's not my type of central defender. I try not to end up in the situations that he often gets into."
To see how Van Dijk prefers to solve problems on the pitch, watch how he single-handedly neutralized two counterattacking Tottenham players, Moussa Sissoko and Son Heung-Min, by himself in last month's encounter at Anfield. That match was a must-win for Liverpool as they chase a first Premier League title, and with little time left and the score level at 1-1, Spurs had their chance to dash the Reds' dreams at Anfield.
It's a masterpiece of decision-making: Van Dijk calculated that the biggest danger would be a shot by Son, a natural striker, so he positioned himself between the two opponents and let Sissoko run all the way into the box but all the while forcing him onto his weak left foot. The Frenchman fired well over the bar. Minutes later, Liverpool got the winner. It was a moment that might end up deciding the title, and Van Dijk didn't even have to make a tackle.
A coaching website - Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk showed why he is so important to the team in the game against Spurs last weekend. In the 85th minute with the scores tied 1-1 Spurs broke away leaving Van Dijk the only defender back facing a speedy Heung-Min Son and Moussa Sissoko.
Van Dijk expertly closed off the space for a potential pass to Son, and recovered enough to cause Sissoko’s effort to go well over the bar.
Liverpool went on to win the game with a late goal. Such is the difference between success and failure.
There are few defenders who can cope better under pressure, particularly when outnumbered in a 2v1 situation. He uses his positional nous, speed of thought and pace to split the two players in front of him and closes down the one with the ball. This in turn narrows the options for the opposition – and having covered the ground quickly, Van Dijk uses his timing to perfection to put in a block on the ball or make it difficult to shoot.
I would be able to understand if people said it was good defending, not world class, it's all about opinions isn't it? Although I'd heavily disagree but to say it's basic defending, schoolboy defending even, is absolutely ridiculous and you know it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOOR I didn't say the defending was schoolboy stuff. I said that the understanding of the game that you were banging on about was schoolboy stuff; show a player onto his weak foot, don't let them pass to the more talented players. Some of the first things a was taught as a kid. VVD still had to execute that, which he did well. But it wasn't world class. I actually think that there was a chance for Sissoko to get the pass to Son when he was about 30 yards out. VVD had gone a touch too close to the goal and the pass was on, but Sissoko didn't take the chance. But overall it was good defending, that was overhyped somewhat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well actually you did, you said it was basic and schoolboy stuff but let's not get caught up in that. I can accept your opinion that you think it was just good defending and not world class, although I wholeheartedly disagree, as you're one of the United fans on here that normally give a close to balanced view.
But I repeat, anybody who thinks it was basic defending or he was running away or any such nonsense, doesn't understand football as he absolutely did the right thing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, I said showing a player onto his weak foot and cutting out the pass is basic/schoolboy stuff. TOOR is making out like you have to have great understanding of the game to see what good defending it was. Which is absolute BS. The theory behind the defending was as basic as it gets. Sissoko can't finish on his right foot, never mind his left foot. The chance of him scoring was probably about 2%. If he hadn't dithered so much he could have got a pass off to Son around the 30 yard mark, as VVD had gone a little bit too far towards goal. I'd have fancied Son to take the chance from there. Other than that VVD defended well in the situation and applied some pressure as Sissoko took the shot, but overall it fairly basic stuff made easier by the fact Sissoko can't finish his dinner.
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/4/20
It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time.
———
Can we not let this one slip by without getting the attention it deserves.
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 13 seconds ago
It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time.
———
Can we not let this one slip by without getting the attention it deserves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
not Ledley on Robben, or that infamous Luiz clearance vs Spain. It’s this
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/4/20
It’s actually this.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EZTVXydsMaw
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/4/20
All of this because Diafol light-heartedly said VVD was good at 'running away' from the player with the ball.
It was good, sensible defending, and absolutely the right thing to do in the situation, but nothing that hasn't been done before.
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 2 hours, 24 minutes ago
It was the single best piece of defending that season and one of the best of all time.
———
Can we not let this one slip by without getting the attention it deserves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Crazy isn't it?
posted on 7/4/20
This still going?
Bog standard defending
Weak jealous mancs.
posted on 7/4/20
comment by Scouze Doggie Dog (U22357)
posted 19 minutes ago
This still going?
Bog standard defending
Weak jealous mancs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Showing a player to his weak foot and not letting him pass to a far more talented player is basic defending. He still executed it well. And I still think that he is the best CB around.
posted on 7/4/20
Yeah that's why a lot of 2 on 1s in the box end up in row Q.
posted on 7/4/20
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Page 8 of 9
6 | 7 | 8 | 9