Virgil van Dijk was hailed by a Dutch legend after setting a new record for his national side on Monday evening
Virgil van Dijk skipped the Netherlands for the 72nd time on Monday
Virgil van Dijk skipped the Netherlands for the 72nd time on Monday
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Virgil van Dijk set a new record as captain of the Netherlands on Monday night. But it is his Liverpool team-mate Cody Gakpo who has been hailed as his international side's best player.
Gakpo scored a penalty and provided an assist in the Netherlands' 4-0 win over Lithuania which secured a place at next summer's World Cup, with Van Dijk setting a new Dutch record of captaining his country for the 72nd time - a remarkable feat given that he has 88 caps.
Dutch legend Frank de Boer, the previous record holder, marked the occasion with a message for Van Dijk, saying: “Virgil, congratulations on breaking my record as the player with the most caps as captain of Oranje.
“You’ve worn the armband 72 times – a great achievement of which you should be really proud.
“You’re a true leader and hopefully many more great moments will follow with you as captain.”
Gakpo took his international record to an impressive 19 goals in 46 appearances with his strike from the penalty spot against Lithuania, the second of four Dutch goals on a night when Manchester City's Tijjani Reijnders, Tottenham summer signing Xavi Simons and Aston Villa's Donyell Malen all found the net.
And despite their array of Premier League stars, the former Netherlands, Nottingham Forest and Celtic forward Pierre van Hooijdonk hailed Gakpo as his side's best player.
“I actually think Gakpo is the best player in this qualifying campaign,” Van Hooijdonk told Voetbal Zone.
“And even before that, actually. He’s just so strong, his physique is top-notch. And he also has his own individual moves.”
Ryan Gravenberch, the third Liverpool player in the Dutch squad, was an unused substitute for the match.
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