The Reds came so close to winning their first Premier League title this campaign but ended one point behind Manchester City.
The 97 points Jurgen Klopp’s side earned gave them the highest total of any runners-up in English top-flight history.
But they may struggle to repeat the feat when league football begins again in August.
“But there haven’t been any of those types of players who have really set the world alight this season.
“So from a point of consistency and from a point of success, for me, Van Dijk would have to be the man.”
One kiss is all it takes. 😘@VirgilvDijk 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XIPg9kVKs0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 2, 2019
It’s obviously very hard for us to argue with Barnes.
We would argue that Van Dijk is extremely eye-catching – watching him on the ball, he’s so calm and assured, and there’s nothing quite like a well-timed challenge from a world-class defender.
The last defender to win the Balon D’or was World Cup-winning Fabio Cannavaro back in 2006, but could the Dutch giant buck the trend and claim the prize?
Virgil van Dijk insists Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or. pic.twitter.com/dWGSXvA8Ff
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 2, 2019
Despite winning the Champions League and earning gushing plaudits, Lionel Messi is still likely his main rival for the award after scoring 51 goals and providing 22 assists in 50 games for Barcelona.
After winning No. 6, Van Dijk himself said: “I think Messi is the best player in the world. He should win the Ballon d’Or. He’s the best in the world.”
Though they won La Liga, they’ve missed out on the Copa del Rey and were obviously sent crashing out of the Champions League thanks to the miraculous, victorious, irrepressible Reds at Anfield.
Whatever happens with the Balon d’Or, winning the Champions League in Madrid was more important and it’s team trophies like that which will mean more so much more to the club and the fans.
Would be nice for Virg to get the ultimate recognition as an individual player though, wouldn’t it?
Van Dijk has already claimed the the PFA Player of the Year award and put paid to understandable opinions he is the world’s best defender at the moment.