Champions League Final: Twitter hails Virgil van Dijk after Man of the Match Performance

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final

The Twitterati were all-praise for Liverpool's defensive stalwart Virgil van Dijk after a commanding performance in the UEFA Champions League final yesterday night. The Dutchman hardly provided the Tottenham forwards a sniff of the Liverpool goal front, keeping out the likes of Heung Min-Son, Lucas Moura, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi helped the Merseysiders win the final 2-0.

UEFA announced van Dijk as the official Man of the Match for the final following his brilliant display, with Thomas Schaaf, leader of the UEFA Technical Observers, remarking:

"Van Dijk showed outstanding leadership and was Liverpool's best defender. He made crucial interventions when needed and played with a cool head throughout."

Virgil van Dijk didn't forget to heap praise on his teammates and manager Jurgen Klopp after collecting the award at a post-match press conference.

"In the second half we were sitting back a bit and they put pressure on us, but overall I think we're deserved Champions League winners. "[Klopp] is a fantastic manager and a fantastic human being. It's an amazing environment to be in and I'm really proud to play for this beautiful club. We're all ambitious and we all want to have these kinds of nights so let's go for it – work hard and stay humble. I expect a lot from the party today and tomorrow!"

Van Dijk has finished the season with an incredible stat – he is the only defender in Europe's top 5 leagues to not have been dribbled past on a single occasion this season! With 22 clean sheets in 38 games, he also masterminded the meanest defensive record in the Premier League this season, which helped Jurgen Klopp's men to mount an impressive title challenge to eventual EPL winners Manchester City.

Having won the PFA Players' Player of the Year title in the Premier League already, the Dutchman is now the front-runner to win this season's Ballon d'Or along with Barcelona ace Lionel Messi.

0 - No opposition player has completed a dribble past Virgil van Dijk in any of his last 64 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool. Rock. #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/VlviY2ohRH
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 1, 2019

Virgil van Dijk has completed an entire Champions League campaign without being successfully dribbled past by a single opponent.

And there's a trophy to go with it. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7fu4MVxXgU
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 1, 2019

Virgil van Dijk went the ENTIRE 2018/19 campaign without being dribbled past.

World class. Legend. EUROPEAN CHAMPION. pic.twitter.com/d8ra8IrFJN
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) June 1, 2019

The @VirgilvDijk song from inside the dressing room. 😍

Is right, @Alex_OxChambo 🤣

🎥 alexoxchamberlain on Instagram pic.twitter.com/DPXGgrbhNI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 2, 2019

*harry kane receives the ball in the 18 yard box*

virgil van dijk: pic.twitter.com/WUF0xRX0Wf
— Shariq (@shxriqqq) June 1, 2019

Virgil van dijk is amazing. Best Liverpool player. Honestly we wouldn't be here without him. What a signing. Generational player. pic.twitter.com/0vhIYj9miY
— #6 (@sadioo10) June 2, 2019

So no one has managed to dribble past Virgil van Dijk this season. This is the entire season we are talking about that ended tonight. Donald Trump has been trying to get funding in the billions to build an idiotic wall to divide people and our wall cost only £75M & unites people. pic.twitter.com/kQ1Oo4mei6
— LFC Watch (@Mobyhaque1) June 1, 2019

Virgil van Dijk after carrying Liverpool to this CL title pic.twitter.com/vJUhoyx4BQ
— Brody (@brobe74) June 1, 2019

Virgil van Dijk has now finished a season for Liverpool without being dribbled past.

52/52 Tackles won. Colossal Beast 🔥💯 pic.twitter.com/HV7pnC9GGz
— Sugar 💕 daddy (@lifeofdee_) June 1, 2019

I urge all Liverpool fans to push the agenda with me.

Virgil Van Dijk has been the best player in the world this season and deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.

Pass it on.
YNWA pic.twitter.com/fF22aduEIu
— Fagbamiye Simpson🇳🇬 (@simpson_fag) June 2, 2019

Virgil van Dijk game by numbers vs. Spurs:

100% tackles won
100% clearances
6 ball recoveries
0 fouls committed

Assured performance. 🇳🇱 👏#uclfinal pic.twitter.com/sO4ujFlBXG
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 1, 2019

Virgil Van Dijk is the best centre-back on the planet. pic.twitter.com/kEk0G5WN0T
— Aadam (@aadambirmingham) June 1, 2019

GG Liverpool and their fans. Insane season, and deservedly have a reward from it. #ChampionsLeague CHAMPIONS!

Ignoring Messi......... VIRGIL VAN DIJK FOR BALON DOR?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/4OnceaD2Ce
— Nick (@Nick28T) June 1, 2019

Congratulations Virgil Van Dijk for Winning 2018/2019 Ballon D'or 🏆💪

We are LIVERPOOL,this means more 😀
— #6times 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆👑 LFC 🔴 (@heiress_jacin) June 1, 2019

Virgil Van Dijk holding the Champions League is a beautiful thing, truly beautiful pic.twitter.com/VS1kA93hCF
— View of the Kop (@ViewOfTheKop_) June 1, 2019

Congratulations @VirgilvDijk best centre half in the world
— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin10) June 1, 2019