[ad_pod ]Liverpool are European champions for the sixth time in their history after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Saturday night.When people look back on the performance of Jurgen Klopp's side, special attention will be paid to a defensive line that limited Spurs' attacking talent to long range shots and set piece opportunities.A key part of those efforts was of course centre-back Virgil van Dijk, whose massive performance again puts him in the conversation of being the world's best defender right now.The Dutch international proved again to be an immovable object at the back for Liverpool, as he has been for the vast majority of the time since arriving at Anfield last January.Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week...

On the chalkboard

Joel Matip was the busier of the two defenders on Saturday, another who has produced on the big occasion for Liverpool when needed this season, but then that is the Cameroonian's role in the Liverpool team.

He actively committed to the threat of Spurs, while van Dijk played a much more considered role analysing situations and marshalling his teammates across the defensive line.

He's every bit a leader in that department and about as efficient as it gets.

Perhaps the former Celtic and Southampton man's greatest achievement at Liverpool is improving the players around him. As imperious as he is personally, the solidity he has inspired in the other defenders at Anfield is remarkable, especially considering Liverpool had something of a joke defence prior to his arrival.

He's helped transform that backline into European champions quality and although Matip arguably deserves the plaudits when considering individual performances on Saturday, it's van Dijk who has brought him to that level and it's his presence that allows Matip to defend in the manner he does.

Defining Madrid moment

Spurs dominated possession during the final, with Liverpool happy to soak up a bit a bit of pressure and protect a shock early lead from a Mohamed Salah penalty.

They were wasteful when approaching the final third though, with van Dijk and his defensive partner keeping the ineffective Harry Kane on a short leash and isolating the striker from his teammates.

Reds goalkeeper Alisson did have a number of saves to make, but the best ones were from long range shots and Spurs barely created a clear cut opportunity all evening.

One of the only penetrating pieces of Spurs play came in the second half when Son Heung-min managed to find a burst of pace that initially took van Dijk by surprise and threatened to create the space that the South Korean would need to finish past the goalkeeper.

In typical fashion though, the Dutchman eventually matched that pace and robbed the ball from Son with a well-timed tackle. It was in fact the only tackle that either of the centre-backs made all night but was a defining defensive moment in the match. In a show of his class as well, van Dijk performed his tackle without riskily sliding in or going to ground - in such a high-pressure moment, plenty of other centre-backs would have simply dived in.

No-one was getting past Liverpool. That's not an understatement either. As pointed out by Opta after the match, no-one has beaten van Dijk with a dribble in his last 64 matches for Liverpool. No-one gets past Virgil van Dijk.

It's a remarkable statistic that demonstrates just what an asset he is to Liverpool - power, pace, timing, leadership - he has it all and the club's investment in him last January must be seen as a turning point for Klopp's side and their eventual European success.