100 caps for the Netherlands.
That is some achievement.
And tonight, Virgil van Dijk became only the latest Liverpool player to reach a landmark that really deserves to be celebrated.
The Liverpool captain earned his 100th international appearance for the Netherlands, marking a special moment in what has already been an incredible career.
There is something quite fitting about Van Dijk reaching the milestone as captain.
He has been the leader of the Netherlands for years, just as he has become such an important figure for Liverpool.
And while Liverpool supporters obviously want him back at Anfield as quickly as possible, I think we should appreciate just how impressive this is.
100 caps is a huge achievement
Think about how many players represent their country once or twice.
Some make a handful of appearances.
Very few get anywhere near 100.
Van Dijk has now done it.
He made his Netherlands debut back in 2015 and has gone on to become one of the most important defenders in the country’s modern history.
He’s experienced the highs and lows of international football, captained his country and played at major tournaments.
And he’s done it while carrying the enormous expectations that come with being one of the world’s best defenders.
That’s not easy.
Liverpool have been incredibly lucky
I’ll be honest, sometimes I think we forget just how good Van Dijk has been for Liverpool because we’ve watched him for so long.
When he arrived from Southampton in 2018, he changed everything.
Liverpool suddenly looked like a completely different defensive team.
He helped the club win the Champions League.
Then came the Premier League title.
The FA Cup.
League Cups.
Another Premier League title.
And countless outstanding performances along the way.
He’s also taken over the captaincy and become one of the senior voices in the dressing room.
Now he’s reached 100 international caps too.
That’s some CV.
And he still matters enormously to Liverpool
What I particularly like about Van Dijk at the moment is that he still looks like someone Liverpool can rely on.
Jérémy Jacquet has emerged brilliantly alongside him.
Ronald Araújo has given Liverpool another hugely impressive defensive option.
Alisson remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
But Van Dijk is still the organiser.
He’s still the experienced head.
And for a young centre-back like Jacquet, having somebody like Van Dijk alongside him is invaluable.
That’s why Liverpool supporters should be hoping that he remains at the heart of this team for as long as possible.
The skipper deserves his moment
There is always pressure on footballers.
Especially players at Liverpool.
Especially captains.
Every mistake gets analysed.
Every poor performance becomes a debate.
Every good performance is quickly forgotten because the next game is already coming.
So when something like this happens, I think it’s worth stopping for a moment.
100 caps for your country is special.
Van Dijk should be proud of it.
Liverpool supporters should be proud of it too.
Because although he has achieved this milestone wearing the Netherlands shirt, we’ve had the privilege of watching so many of those incredible performances in a Liverpool shirt.
And hopefully there are still plenty more to come.
Now bring him home
That’s probably the selfish Liverpool supporter in me talking.
Celebrate the milestone, Virgil.
Enjoy the moment.
Take in what you’ve achieved.
But then get yourself back to Anfield.
Because Liverpool have a huge game against Manchester City coming up next Sunday, and Andoni Iraola is going to need his captain.
A fit and rested Van Dijk will be absolutely vital.
So congratulations to the skipper.
100 caps for the Netherlands.
Another incredible milestone for one of the greatest defenders Liverpool have ever had.
And as Liverpool supporters, we should appreciate him while we still can.
Happy 100th cap, Virgil.
You’ve earned every single one.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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