Virgil van Dijk on how LeBron James is helping him become better for Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk is already one of the world’s best defenders - but says LeBron James is inspiring him to be even better.
James is a part owner of Liverpool through his investment in owners Fenway Sports Group and Van Dijk modelled at the launch of his new fashion line ‘LFC x LeBron’ earlier this month. Liverpool posted a video of Van Dijk watching a message from James where ‘King James’ predicts he will do “amazing things” for the Reds and urged him to “strive for greatness”.
Van Dijk is filmed saying “the King has spoken” and is determined to use his words as quadruple-chasing Liverpool face their fiercest rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday.
“That phrase he uses is perfect and it could be used for a lot of things,” said the Liverpool skipper. “For me personally, I definitely try and follow that because I want to achieve the most I can in life and get the maximum out of myself, the team and the position we’re in.
“We’re in a good place to do that this season - again. Every season is always a challenge, but this season we’re in a special situation.” Van Dijk says he is learning from James - and the other top athletes in the world - on how to handle the negatives and positives.
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“I look at all the top athletes because I feel they all have a big role, either as a role model or for their team and community, and there are so many things you can learn,” he said.
“There’s LeBron, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Tom Brady - I could name so many. I like to listen to these guys and learn how they dealt with being at the top and dealing with difficult moments, but also good moments.” Van Dijk has already copied one aspect of James’ lifestyle and he has his own physio and chef to help him recover and recharge after games.
“Those two parts are very important,” he said. “I do my recovery stuff so I can be optimally prepared for the next challenge, especially when you’re having three games a week. It was already fine, but I want to be better and make the most out of it, and that hard work nobody sees is the key to success.”
Van Dijk says LeBron James is inspiring him to be even better (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)Van Dijk is back to his imperious best after last season’s difficult campaign for Liverpool and says everything has “just clicked” again. “I feel very comfortable in every aspect of the game,” he said. “Obviously confidence is a big driver, but I think I’ve made big steps in possession.
“The manager said the other day it’s not just as simple as wearing the armband and I think a lot of things just clicked again.” That confidence is reflected in his view of Sunday's testing trip to Old Trafford.
“It’s always difficult, it’s always intense,” he said. "It’s the history of the games with the two biggest clubs in England and that brings extra expectation and pressure. But why not just go out there and enjoy it, play our game and hopefully go to the next round?”
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