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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>LeBron sends special message to Van Dijk</li><li>Backed defender to lead Reds to success</li><li>Liverpool out to win four trophies this term</li></ul>

VIDEO: 'VVD, my guy!' - NBA & LA Lakers legend LeBron James sends special motivational message to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk

Premier League

Southampton

Van Dijk has received a lot of praise for his performances since being given the captain's armband at Anfield this season, with the Reds still in the fight to win a quadruple of trophies before coach Jurgen Klopp's imminent departure. Basketball icon James has congratulated the Dutch centre-back and backed his team for success.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A message from <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingJames</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/VirgilvDijk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VirgilvDijk</a> 😁 <a href="https://t.co/XzOh7rde70">pic.twitter.com/XzOh7rde70</a>— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1765437563307766168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WATCH THE CLIP

"VVD, my guy," James said. "I hope you're well. I just want to say a huge congratulations on taking the armband this season. I know you will lead this club on amazing things. Strive for greatness. You'll never walk alone."Van Dijk responded: "The king has spoken... Let's rock and roll."

WHAT LEBRON JAMES SAID ABOUT VAN DIJK

Van Dijk has been a mainstay for Liverpool this season, starting 25 Premier League games since being appointed captain - more than any of his Reds team-mates. His predecessor, Jordan Henderson, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/jordan-henderson-liverpool-progress-al-ettifaq-before-ajax-switch/blt3e848d2e9b55473a" target="_blank">admitted on Wednesday</a> that the Anfield team have been given a "lift" since the Dutchman was appointed skipper after the English midfielder left to join Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

After leading Liverpool to Carabao Cup success recently, Van Dijk will hope to finish the season with more silverware as his team fight for the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League trophies in the final months of the campaign.

WHAT NEXT FOR VAN DIJK?

VIDEO: 'VVD, my guy!' - NBA & LA Lakers legend LeBron James sends special motivational message to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk | Goal.com

NBA and LA Lakers sensation LeBron James has sent a motivational message to Virgil van Dijk and backed him to lead Liverpool to &quot;amazing things&quot;.

VIDEO: &apos;VVD, my guy!&apos; - NBA &amp; LA Lakers legend LeBron James sends special motivational message to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk