Ivan Toney names Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk in his five-a-side squad

Brentford striker Ivan Toney names Virgil van Dijk in his five-a-side squad

Ivan Toney of Brentford, speaking on InchbyInch, named Liverpool’s Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk in his five-a-side team (h/t The Mirror). The English striker recently earned his maiden England call-up for the upcoming Nations League games this month for the Three Lions.

The former Newcastle United striker has been in top form this season, scoring five goals and getting three assists from just seven games. Liverpool and Brentford have only played twice in the Premier League era as of now, and both, Toney and Van Dijk played for their respective clubs in the fixtures last season.

Toney failed to register a goal in either game, but the match in the Brentford Community Stadium was a tight fixture, with the teams sharing the points after a high-scoring 3-3 draw. The Dutchman was the only player from Liverpool to feature in his five-a-side squad but had three players from Manchester City and Toney’s team-mate at Brentford, Frank Onyeka.

Virgil van Djik has been named in Ivan Toney's ultimate Premier League five-a-side team — Virgil van Djik has been named in Ivan Toney’s ultimate Premier League five-a-side team (Image: Getty Images)

Toney calls Van Dijk “too nice”

Sharing the pitch with Van Dijk in the Brentford striker’s squad are Ederson, Frank Onyeka, Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero. Speaking of the Dutchman, he said he would get Van Dijk in his squad “definitely”.

Moreover, he is of the belief that Virgil is “too nice”. The general notion of attackers sustaining a sense of fear by the former Southampton man is something Toney remains unfazed by as per his own words.

“There’s scarier defenders out there, they look scarier as well. He doesn’t look scary, he’s too nice!”

Even though Virgil is one of the world’s best defenders, he goes through tough times as well. This season is an example. He has merely been a shadow of himself while defending in one-v-one situations. It is just the standards that the former Celtic man has set for himself that spoils the Liverpool fans.

Virgil van Dijk kicks the ball as Ajax's Dusan Tadic watches on. — Virgil van Dijk kicks the ball as Ajax’s Dusan Tadic watches on. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Still a long season up ahead, and we can hope for Van Dijk to get back to his usual self as soon as possible resulting in better outcomes for the club.

He had a mixed game against Napoli where he conceded a penalty that was saved by Alisson Becker but went on to block a certain goal via a goal-line clearance from Khvicha Kvaratskheli in the 28th minute.