What the papers say
Real Madrid and Barcelona are preparing to go head to head in an audacious battle to lure defender Virgil Van Dijk and manager Jurgen Klopp away from Liverpool, according to AS. The Spanish football website says both clubs are becoming concerned that their status as European giants is fading. This coincides with Liverpool’s powerful start to the Premier League campaign, and after Klopp also guided them to the Champions League title last season. Van Dijk, who was bought by Liverpool for a defender’s world record of £75million, has been a star for the Reds in each of their five games this term.
What the papers say
Paulo Dybala‘s prospective move to Tottenham may not have gone through during the summer transfer window, but the Champions League finalists will be offered the chance to make a move for the £65million-rated forward in January, reports the Daily Star.
Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk will renew his rivalry with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after being shortlisted alongside the two greats in The Best FIFA Football Awards.
A “passion” for preventing goals, great coaching and Liverpool’s “world-class forwards” are what Virgil Van Dijk believes helped him become the first defender to win UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year award on Thursday.
Adrian could scarcely ask for a bigger stage on which to make his first Liverpool start, but the experienced goalkeeper has been backed by Virgil van Dijk to prove his worth in the UEFA Super Cup.
Virgil van Dijk is confident Adrian can slot straight into the Liverpool side if first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is sidelined for significant time with a calf injury.
