Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk is widely recognized as one of the premier defenders in contemporary world football.
The Dutch international has built his reputation primarily on his defensive prowess, showcasing exceptional pace, anticipation, and leadership on the pitch rather than goal-scoring abilities.
Nevertheless, despite his defensive focus, van Dijk has demonstrated a knack for finding the back of the net in crucial moments throughout his illustrious career.
The recipient of the 2018-19 UEFA Men's Player of the Year has accumulated 60 goals in his career, comprising 53 for his club and seven for the Netherlands national football team. Among these, he has contributed 23 goals for Liverpool.
3 most important goals of Virgil van Dijk's career
1. Game-winning goal in first game for Liverpool
Van Dijk had a remarkable beginning to his Liverpool tenure after making a high-profile move from fellow Premier League club Southampton for a then-world record fee of £75 million ($95 million) for a defender during the 2017-18 winter transfer window.
His impact was immediate, with a standout debut performance against local rivals Everton. In that game, he scored a decisive 84th-minute header, securing a 2-1 victory for Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2018.
2. Last-minute penalty for Netherlands
Van Dijk's exceptional performances have extended to his contributions to the Netherlands, a fact that was prominently on display during a UEFA 2024 qualifying game against Greece in October 2023.
Despite the Dutch controlling much of the game, they found breaking down the resilient Greek defense challenging, with clear-cut chances being a rarity.
The decisive moment came in the last minute when Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis brought down Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries, prompting the referee to point to the spot after a lengthy VAR deliberation.
Stepping up to take the penalty, Van Dijk calmly slotted home the kick in the 93rd minute, securing a 1-0 victory for the Netherlands.
3. Late goal vs Chelsea in the 2024 Carabao Cup Final
Arguably, the most clutch goal in Van Dijk's career occurred in February 2024 during the Carabao Cup final against rivals Chelsea.
Despite being favored over the struggling Chelsea, Liverpool found it challenging to assert dominance in a tightly contested affair. The match remained goalless in regulation, and as extra time progressed, a potential shootout loomed.
With just two minutes left in extra time, Van Dijk executed the decisive moment of the high-stakes match, powering home a header from a corner delivered by left-back Kostas Tsimikas in the 118th minute.
The header sealed them a 1-0 win, as well as Liverpool's first trophy of the season and their record-extending tenth title in the competition's history.
The goal was a sweet redemption for the 32-year-old, as he had earlier seen a goal controversially ruled offside.
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