Liverpool rivals Manchester City turned down the chance to sign dominate central defender Virgil van Dijk.
It just goes to show how different life could be if decisions had been changed. Liverpool would never have been able to sign Virgil van Dijk and, as a result, the recent success could never have happened.
When van Dijk was playing for Celtic, and crushing attackers in the Scottish Premier League, there were a few clubs who were interesting in signing the Dutchman.
Manchester City was one of those outfits, revealed Virg’s former manager Ronny Deila, reported the Express.
However, City weren’t interested in seeing him play in the SPL because of the low quality of their opposition. They have a point there: Celtic pretty much walk that division every season, and no player makes the jump from them to a top English side.
"Deila said: “Did I get in touch with City? Yes. I said you have to take him. They said, ‘okay, tell me the best European game he has played and we will watch it.’“I couldn’t tell them what game that was because he hadn’t any real good European games. He was really dominant in Scotland but he got sent off against Inter away.More from Rush The KopSet to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back homeLiverpool making late comebacks all the rage once againWolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international dutyPlayers to watch in the matchup with WolvesPredicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures“That was a big test. I think if he had played fantastically in that game, he would have been bought.“I think the big clubs think Scottish football is too low level and they don’t want to take a chance on a player for that kind of money.”"
They normally go to someone in mid-table, which is what happened when van Dijk moved to Southampton. A few years later, everyone was convinced about his ability and Liverpool paid a world-record fee for the defender and the rest is history.
Upon his arrival, Liverpool were instantly rejuvenated by the impact of the Dutchman. He scored against Everton on his debut and has never looked back – propelling Klopp’s side to a Champions League final and then win and now an almost-certain league title.
He will go down as one of the best ever Liverpool defenders, even if he’s only been at Anfield for less than three seasons, such as the strength of his impact been.
Pep Guardiola would make his move for Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Club, and he’s one of the few defenders who can hold a candle to van Dijk.
Who knows if Liverpool will continue to get the better of City, but if they do, van Dijk will have a massive part to play in it.