Virgil Van Dijk explains ‘why’ Manchester City won the Treble in glowing praise

Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk has piled on the praise for Manchester City and their Treble-winning achievements last season following Sunday afternoon’s draw at Anfield.

The Dutchman starred in Jurgen Klopp’s side’s eventual 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend, as the two Premier League title heavyweights clashed over the potential to go top of the division.

Ultimately, Arsenal remained as the league leaders by a single point over City and level with Liverpool, with Mikel Arteta’s side travelling to the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League meeting at the end of the month.

While it was dropped points for both Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday, the outing showcased core strengths of both teams, through the resilience of Pep Guardiola’s players and Jurgen Klopp’s side’s determination despite an injury-ravaged roster.

Speaking after the draw at Anfield at the weekend, Virgil Van Dijk was keen to pile on the praise for Manchester City and their achievements of last season, explaining why he believes Pep Guardiola and his team claimed the historic Treble.

“Manchester City has been very successful with the titles they have won and every game we have played against each other have been very intense,” Virgil Van Dijk admitted, after what is likely to be the final meeting between Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League.

The Dutch international central defender continued, “Every game is so difficult, they have quality all over the pitch and that is why they won the Treble last year.”

It was Van Dijk’s compatriot that ultimately made a costly error for Manchester City in the second-half against Liverpool, with Nathan Ake’s undercooked back-pass forcing Ederson into a rash challenge on Darwin Nunez inside his penalty area.

Alexis Mac Allister would convert the resulting spot-kick, while Ederson was forced off with an injury and a diagnosis is expected on the Brazilian international’s leg problem later this week ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final meeting with Newcastle United.