Jürgen Klopp does not remember a more impressive season by a defenseman than Virgil Van Dijks latest.

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp acknowledges to Lionel Messi on Monday was honored with the Ballon d'or award for the sixth time in his career, but the German believes not surprising that his own player Virgil van Dijk had earned the prize.

The Dutch defender was only seven points from Messi, who won with 686 points. Van Dijk got 679 points, while Cristiano Ronaldo and in third place was noted for 476 points.

- It is the journalists ' decision, and I have no problem with. As I have said probably 500,000 times before, Lionel Messi probably the best player I have seen in my lifetime.

- I look just a tad different on it, like many others, says Jürgen Klopp, referring to this year's vote.

Van Dijk played a vital role as Liverpool in the last season triumphed in the Champions League and was a mulehår from winning the Premier League.

- I do not remember a more impressive season by a defenseman ever. Honestly. So it had been the right thing, if Virgil got the price. I also hear that it was pretty close, " says Klopp.

He saw four Liverpool players make their way to the top 7 in the voting. Sadio Mané (347 points) and Mohamed Salah (178 points) were respectively number four and five, while the a goalkeeper Alisson (67 points) took seventh place.

/ritzau/Reuters