Jurgen Klopp felt Virgil van Dijk was unlucky to finish second behind Lionel Messi at the 2019 Ballon d'Or awards, but was pleased to see his performances praised by AC Milan great Franco Baresi after the ceremony.
After Van Dijk missed out on the Ballon d'Or award, Italian legend Baresi took to social media to voice his disapproval over the final result, expressing his belief that Van Dijk was last season's best player.
Klopp sees the former Milan defender's glowing praise as a real feather in Van Dijk's cap, as he told a press conference on Friday: "Baresi praised Van Dijk, that is like being crowned by the king!"
Liverpool winger Sadio Mane ended up finishing fourth behind Messi, Van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo, with Klopp confident he can "climb that Ballon d'Or chart" in the future if he continues on his current trajectory.
"The first three in the Ballon d'Or were Messi, Van Dijk and Ronaldo," he said. "Then Sadio. Sadio is in incredible shape. I can remember his first goal v Arsenal, running down the line, cutting inside - incredible. He's made big steps.
"Sadio can climb that Ballon d'Or chart, he is in a really good way. Internally, of course, he is not (under-appreciated).
"In the Ballon d'Or, having two players in the top five is nice. Ali [Alisson] and Mo [Mohamed Salah], too. We played a good season. We have to respect that."
Kwashira
0
yellow and red card are the part of a game...look at his achievements..fuckerrrrrr[ko]
You are pathetic. It's only a simple question and you insulting me. Thank you.
LovemoreNyabote
0
After all and sundry Messi is The goat. Visca La Pulga Atomica
deodetu
0
franco Baresi because u were a defender it dont mean that a defender had to win it...van dijk didnt win premier league last year and loose against portugal in europe league and is just the best defender in europe but few goals ...why u dont talk abt ramos 125 goals 1 world cup 2 eurocups 4 champions league many spanish la league clubs worlcup and many more in spain like king cups
yellow and red card are the part of a game...look at his achievements..fuckerrrrrr[ko]
Cuwbcilpy
1
he is black it will be hard for him to win it, like Sterling, he won three cups but couldn't win, he scored goals that brought trophies, but look, he finished way behind those with blue blood
Apeatu
0
apuu
Kwashira
0
franco Baresi because u were a defender it dont mean that a defender had to win it...van dijk didnt win premier league last year and loose against portugal in europe league and is just the best defender in europe but few goals ...why u dont talk abt ramos 125 goals 1 world cup 2 eurocups 4 champions league many spanish la league clubs worlcup and many more in spain like king cups
and how many yellow and red cards?
Lil_malone
0
nope.. barca fans here to see poor liverpool.๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐
yep, 4-0 still hurts
Catemop
0
franco Baresi because u were a defender it dont mean that a defender had to win it...van dijk didnt win premier league last year and loose against portugal in europe league and is just the best defender in europe but few goals ...why u dont talk abt ramos 125 goals 1 world cup 2 eurocups 4 champions league many spanish la league clubs worlcup and many more in spain like king cups
Yuhabknruz
0
VVD : when i was in celtic my coach said me be like ramos and today i am very happy to be better defender than ramos๐
you must be sick in the head to write this trash
Yuhabknruz
3
waiting to hear when they will say messi rob the golden shoe[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
wabzidane
4
Meanwhile Messi praised mane ..that is like being crown by GOAT to ascend his throne
FAPIO21_cityzen
0
VVD : when i was in celtic my coach said me be like ramos and today i am very happy to be better defender than ramos๐
mi aim is not overal , it is last season
BarcaLad
0
waiting for barca fans to comment ๐๐๐๐
nope.. barca fans here to see poor liverpool.๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐
mrkopite
2
waiting for barca fans to comment ๐๐๐๐
feycmotu
0
vvd knows inside that he is robbed but he cant say anything .... messi have done anything in ucl still he won ๐คฃ
Just drink the bile.
sohklmstu
2
vvd knows inside that he is robbed but he cant say anything .... messi have done anything in ucl still he won ๐คฃ
badaipsy
0
VVD : when i was in celtic my coach said me be like ramos and today i am very happy to be better defender than ramos๐
Well overall Ramos is better than vvd but last season Ramos wasn't good but vvd is nothing compared to Ramos as much I don't like Ramos but u can't say he is a bad defender
cakacimpry
0
Liverpool players revolving around the Ballon d'Or recently, sooner than later one of them will win the award. If justice prevails, we shall see.
ManUSlim
1
Be careful ehh AF! Your captions are like film titles!
Caddeimnu
0
VVD : when i was in celtic my coach said me be like ramos and today i am very happy to be better defender than ramos๐
He said that? Crap
RicKing
1
there were three players in top 5 Jurgen.... Salah was 5th, Sadio 4th and VVD 2nd
FAPIO21_cityzen
5
VVD : when i was in celtic my coach said me be like ramos and today i am very happy to be better defender than ramos๐
BayernJosh234
3
When they want to take your hat away, they do that by praising you.