The error of Virgil van Dijk that shows how Liverpool can tilt Manchester City title

Liverpool fans have seen a lot during a remarkable and exciting campaign for Jurgen Klopp's pursuers.

But few people could believe that Virgil van Dijk was mistaken.

The central defender was guilty of having contributed to a series of mistakes that briefly threatened Fulham's hopes of victory when the Reds were last fighting a fortnight ago.

But that's what happened next, according to former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt, who distinguishes his compatriot from the Netherlands.

"Virgil has his own style," says Kuyt. "Very chic and a real confident player.

"Every human made sometimes small mistakes, but what was very special to me, is that after the error against Fulham, he continued to play.

"He has regained his level and it is a great mental skill. Not many players have that. They make a mistake and need a little time or sometimes a few games to recover from that.

"But with Virgil, no matter if he scores the winning goal or if he's wrong, he's still of the same type."

Kuyt adds: "In the last two years he has started to be an important player for the Dutch team. He plays important games against Germany, against France.

"And as he plays at a high level in the Premier League, he plays against the best strikers in the world every week. This makes him an even better player and he is the kind of person who still wants to become a better player. This is a very good character.

"Defensively, I can not name a better player in the world at the moment."

The belief that allowed Van Dijk to get rid of his aberration is not limited to Liverpool defender.

There is something in the air around Anfield. And for Kuyt, that could make all the difference in their title.

Kuyt was part of the last Reds team to win a trophy, scoring the last League Cup win against Cardiff City in 2012.

The Dutchman was also a key part of the team that led Manchester United in an exciting championship race in 2009.

More recently, however, Kuyt was back in the former Feyenoord club and helped him end his long wait for a national crown in 2017 by scoring a hat trick in the final victory against Heracles before hanging up.

And Kuyt – who was back on his former pitch last weekend in the 3-2 win over the Liverpool Legends against Milan Glorie – can get an idea of ​​what's going on in the same way for him. Jurgen Klopp's current team in Liverpool in a bid to overthrow Manchester City Champion of England.

"It's the belief," he says. "If you're walking around town or in this club, the last game I played here (against Napoli in the Champions League in December) is that of players or coaching staff who believe in something and work very hard every day. for that.

"It's a great feeling. Even when you enter Anfield and the players are not there, you may feel that something is going to happen.

"If you look at the fans, if you walk in the city, everyone is desperate for a trophy because since 2012, it's the last time Liverpool has won a trophy, that's a long time ago. is desperate for that.

"In my last season at Feyenoord, we had to wait 18 years for a championship title. It's a bit the same feeling.

"Everyone has the feeling that some things are getting ready and I hope for Liverpool, it is this season.

"The team can be very proud of the efforts they have made and the results they have achieved so far.

"It's a team and maybe even more than a team. It looks like a family.

"But from now on, the most important games are coming. I think every game is now a final for them. "