Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has defended Virgil van Dijk after a fake quote from Michael Ballack criticising the defender appeared on social media.
The ex-Chelsea midfielder was claimed to have put van Dijk's meteoric rise in the Premier League down to the lower standard of attackers.
The quote, which has been widely shared on social media, says: "Virgil van Dijk is very lucky to play in an era where there is no [Didier] Drogba, [Frank] Lampard, Alan Shearer, [Thierry] Henry, [Wayne] Rooney, [Robin] Van Persie, [Carlos] Tevez, [Emmanuel] Adebayor and Diego Costa in the Premier League. No wonder they think he is the best defender in the league."
That quotes went viral on social media and, although it now appears to have no credibility, the claims against van Dijk caused controversy on social media.
Henderson responded to an Instagram post by backing up his Liverpool teammate Van Dijk.
Henderson wrote: "They're the lucky ones," accompanied with a winky face, which leaves it unclear if he's aware the quotes are fake or not.
GriezmannUnited
1492
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
faith1984
1093
if an underrated sarr and minamino can humiliate an over rated van dirjk then Ballack is right. VVD is very lucky he isn't playing in the era of Drogba, Rooney, van persie, Costa, Alan shearer, Adebayor, Cantona and many more. He is over rated.
cutabdkmz
848
WATFORD ENTERS THE CHAT ATLETICO ENTERS THE CHAT LIVERPOOL UNINSTALLS THE APP
Divino10
598
in my own view I would say VVD is very overrated..honestly, the guy isn't even good on "one on one" tackles,he always seeks help from his defenders,he pushes his defenders to do the dirty work and yet he gets all the credits which is unfair...calling him the best defender just pisses me off.. watch his games very well and u will understand my point..I know liverpool fans will come for me but this statement isn't sentimental but facts..take it or leave it,VVD is overrated
segelanthe2nd
546
Bullshit!! vvd may have not faced those players bt he has faced ronaldo,messi,aguero,kane,bale, benzema,de bruyne...vvd is a beast,,iam a man u fan bt i give credit where its due
Echee27
358
Ballack is right,.. because Van Dijk feels that he is best defender reigning now but has gotten that there is no dengerous attackers now like of those been mentioned by Ballack,.. even those defenders of that time that were so good more than Van Dijik ,.. they got nutmegged by those attackers
Mokekrt
297
He is the easiest defender to dribble past because he is coward, he cant face the strikers, he always runs back.
SH3012
155
If Watford And Athletico Madrid Was An App,Liverpool Would Delete PlayStore😂😂😂
tucadenors
17
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
I’m sorry bruh 😂😂
Gunners4ever❤
12
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
Bro you are savage. Harsh but true, Hendo won't get a sniff of England's midfield in the early and mid 2000s with Lampard, Scholes, Gerrard, Beckham and Heskey around at that time
Gbaa Luter Benjamin
11
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
savage
DannyDrinkH2O
11
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
MANN THIS IS TRUE AF
jeoacdkpy
10
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
If some of u guys now regard semi final as some thing special, then u should respect Real Madrid for going to semi finals in the champions league for 8 consecutive years. Fake fans
Torres94
10
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
Even Lingard plays for England this days
RuudGullit
9
if an underrated sarr and minamino can humiliate an over rated van dirjk then Ballack is right. VVD is very lucky he isn't playing in the era of Drogba, Rooney, van persie, Costa, Alan shearer, Adebayor, Cantona and many more. He is over rated.
to make things clear, it wasnt minamino who humiliated Van dijk. It was Hwang Hee Chan
Torres94
9
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
Even Lingard plays for England these days
Ani_the_king
8
Well even Henderson is lucky because he wouldn't be playing for England if Lampard and Rooney were still playing
KO to hendo