Virgil van Dijk equals 42-year record by Liverpool legend

Three points wasn’t the only memorable aspect of Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk’s night against Lille. Arne Slot’s side preserved their remarkable record in this season’s Champions League as a 2-1 win over a ten-man Lille made it seven wins from as many games. A deflected strike by Harvey Elliott proved to be the decisive moment in the clashGetty Elliott’s goal subsequently helped Van Dijk earn a slice of club historyGetty Harvey Elliott’s deflected 67th-minute strike proved to be the winner after Jonathan David cancelled out Mohamed Salah‘s opener at Anfield. The result sees Liverpool seal top spot in the Champions League league phase with one game to go. Although Van Dijk did not get on the scoresheet, he still managed to write himself into the history books. By featuring against Lille on Tuesday, Van Dijk equalled the record for most victories by a Liverpool player in their first 50 European Cup/Champions League appearances. Liverpool’s win over Lille took Van Dijk’s tally to 35, placing him at the top alongside Phil Neal. It is elite company for Van Dijk given Neal is the Reds’ most decorated play in history. During the 73-year-old’s career at Anfield, he won a staggering 23 trophies, including four European Cups between 1977 and 1984. Neal went on to make almost 650 appearances for the Reds before he moved to Bolton Wanderers in 1985. Sadly for Van Dijk, he will not get the chance to make outright history. Liverpool’s win over Lille marked his 50th Champions League match he had represented the Reds. Van Dijk has more than delivered on his £75m transfer feeGetty It will take some beating for a Liverpool player to eclipse Neal’s trophy haul It means he and Neal will have to forever share a slice of history. The Dutchman is also extremely unlikely to match the Liverpool trophy cabinet Neal boasts. Since he moved to Anfield from Southampton for £75million in January 2018, Van Dijk has won eight trophies with the Reds. The haul includes one Premier League title, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, a Community Shield, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Van Dijk stands a strong chance of adding more silverware to his cabinet given Liverpool remain fighting on four fronts. The Reds have a fourth round FA Cup date away to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle and are down 1-0 in their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Tottenham. GettyThe Reds have run riot this season and look certain to land at least one trophy[/caption] Slot’s troops also sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and are guaranteed a spot in the Champions League knockout stages. However, it will take something monumental if Van Dijk is to skipper Liverpool to four trophies given no English club has ever won the quadruple.

Jan 21, 2025 - 23:27

Virgil van Dijk equals 42-year record by Liverpool legend

Three points wasn’t the only memorable aspect of Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk’s night against Lille.

Arne Slot’s side preserved their remarkable record in this season’s Champions League as a 2-1 win over a ten-man Lille made it seven wins from as many games.

A deflected strike by Harvey Elliott proved to be the decisive moment in the clash

Elliott’s goal subsequently helped Van Dijk earn a slice of club history

Harvey Elliott’s deflected 67th-minute strike proved to be the winner after Jonathan David cancelled out Mohamed Salah‘s opener at Anfield.

The result sees Liverpool seal top spot in the Champions League league phase with one game to go.

Although Van Dijk did not get on the scoresheet, he still managed to write himself into the history books.

By featuring against Lille on Tuesday, Van Dijk equalled the record for most victories by a Liverpool player in their first 50 European Cup/Champions League appearances.

Liverpool’s win over Lille took Van Dijk’s tally to 35, placing him at the top alongside Phil Neal.

It is elite company for Van Dijk given Neal is the Reds’ most decorated play in history.

During the 73-year-old’s career at Anfield, he won a staggering 23 trophies, including four European Cups between 1977 and 1984.

Neal went on to make almost 650 appearances for the Reds before he moved to Bolton Wanderers in 1985.

Sadly for Van Dijk, he will not get the chance to make outright history.

Liverpool’s win over Lille marked his 50th Champions League match he had represented the Reds.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool applauds the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Liverpool FC and LOSC Lille at Anfield on January 21, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) — Van Dijk has more than delivered on his £75m transfer fee

It will take some beating for a Liverpool player to eclipse Neal’s trophy haul

It means he and Neal will have to forever share a slice of history.

The Dutchman is also extremely unlikely to match the Liverpool trophy cabinet Neal boasts.

Since he moved to Anfield from Southampton for £75million in January 2018, Van Dijk has won eight trophies with the Reds.

The haul includes one Premier League title, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, a Community Shield, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Van Dijk stands a strong chance of adding more silverware to his cabinet given Liverpool remain fighting on four fronts.

The Reds have a fourth round FA Cup date away to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle and are down 1-0 in their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Tottenham.