I watch Liverpool every week and Marco van Basten is wrong about Virgil van Dijk
With three first team stars, an assistant manager and head of goalkeeping, the Dutch influence at Liverpool is particularly strong.
On the playing side, the Reds are captained by Virgil van Dijk - the defensive lynchpin who also wears the armband for the Netherlands - while Cody Gakpo was the current Eredivisie Player of the Year and rising star of the Oranje national side when he arrived on Merseyside in January of last year.
Ryan Gravenberch is viewed as one of the most promising young stars in the national setup while assistant boss Pep Lijnders will begin a career in management later this year after establishing himself as a highly-regarded second-in-command during his years working with Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool summer date could hint at when new manager is appointed
Liverpool have special requirement in hunt for new boss after two breakout stars
Goalkeeping coach John Achterberg is affectionately referred to as a 'maniac' by Klopp for his obsessive poring over the latest players and trends in that area of the pitch.
But before the current influx of Dutch at Liverpool, though, Dirk Kuyt served with distinction for six years, scoring 71 goals and lifting the 2012 League Cup.
The ECHO sat down with Kuyt to get his expert view on the Netherlands contingent within Klopp's squad and how they are viewed back in his homeland.
Virgil van Dijk
"Well first of all, I think it was a very big step for Virgil to take the armband. I think it was a huge honour for him but the way he took it and the way he is doing right now is really excellent.
"He is doing really well, really leading the team but also I think his performances have been spot on. It is true that there were some critics in Holland but nowadays every person in
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk
