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Klopp: Van Dijk enjoyed best-ever season by a defender but Messi the greatest I’ve seen

The German has no complaints with Barcelona’s superstar skipper beating his commanding centre-half to the 2019 Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi is a worthy winner of six Ballons d’Or, says Jurgen Klopp, with there no complaints from the Liverpool manager at seeing Virgil van Dijk overlooked despite the Dutchman enjoying the "most impressive season ever" from a defender.

A commanding presence at Anfield was edged into a runner-up spot at a glitzy awards ceremony in Paris on Monday.

Van Dijk was the choice of many to be named the finest player on the planet, with the Netherlands international having enjoyed a stunning 2019 which included a Champions League triumph at club level.