Van Dijk: Winning Ballon d'Or would be a dream come true

The Dutch defender had a superb campaign for Jurgen Klopp's side, and has been tipped to become the first defender to win the award in over a decade

Virgil van Dijk admits winning the Ballon d'Or would be a dream come true after an exceptional season with Liverpool and the Netherlands.

Already a revered figure at Anfield, Van Dijk could become only the club's second Ballon d'Or recipient after Michael Owen in 2001.

"If people are talking about it - you can't say it doesn't [excite you]," Van Dijk told Sky Sports .

"But it's a subject we don't have any influence on. I can't change anything right now other than get fit, stay fit and that's the situation.

"Winning something like that is a dream come true for every footballer in the world. If you don't then you just get on with it and try to perform better than last year.

"It would be fantastic and I would be very proud. But the main thing will be to focus on what we do all together and achieving the bigger goal - that's getting silverware with the club."

"It looks like nobody can imagine a week without football in the year," Klopp told reporters.

"When did that happen? A game again, a game again. It is difficult for the boys. Everything will be fine this season, but in the long term we have to change it. There must be breaks.

"Come on, let them go. Be brave. Don't treat every game like it is the last of a decade."