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‘Nobody believed in Van Dijk – now he’s a leader’ – Stam salutes rise of Liverpool defender

The former Dutch international, who starred in the Premier League for Manchester United, is pleased to see a fellow countryman getting recognition

Virgil van Dijk’s meteoric rise to prominence has been saluted by fellow Dutchman Jaap Stam, with the Liverpool defender having been transformed from a player that “nobody believed in” to a “big leader”.

At 28 years of age, a commanding centre-half is now very much at the peak of his powers.

Champions League glory has been savoured at Anfield, while a series of consistent displays as a talismanic presence under Jurgen Klopp have seen Van Dijk come into Ballon d’Or contention.