Player of the month for December - congratulations! You’re the first defender to win it since Jan Vertonghen almost 6 years ago. How do you feel about that?
I didn’t even know that but obviously I’m very proud to win this and all credit to everyone that helped me win it and the fans who have been supporting us. December has been a great month and hopefully we can just keep going.
Is it nice the defenders are getting a bit of the limelight, do they get overshadowed by the forward players sometimes?
Maybe but obviously playing as a forward can often be better to watch than as a back line or the goalkeeper. But obviously I’m very proud of this award.
Since joining Liverpool how would you say you’ve improved as a player to get to this point?
I’ve improved in every aspect of my game I think but there is still so much to learn and to get better at. I’m working every day to get where I want to be. I want to get the maximum out of myself that’s why I’m working everyday and making sure that I’m giving everything for my team and the club.
Seven wins in the seven Premier League matches in December. I’m told no one has ever played that amount of games in the space of one month as well, it’s quite some going that?
Yes, it was a fantastic month for all of us as well, there were some great games and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.
If you were to pick any one stand out game in December?
I would say the Arsenal game. It was a great game to play and it was obviously a fantastic win.
And when you were a kid looking at the Premier League was there anyone in particular you modelled yourself on?
Not particularly in the Premier League but obviously I looked up to Ronaldinho. He was a fantastic player who always enjoyed the game and I think that’s the most important thing for all us players who play the game - to keep on enjoying it.
You have also been announced in the EA SPORTS FIFA Team of The Year. How do you feel about that?
I think more of my friends will love it even more than I do. But I’m very happy to be in the Team of The Year it’s a great recognition. Obviously, you don’t play to be in the Team of The Year on FIFA but if you get in it it’s unbelievable.
You quite like playing FIFA don’t you?
Yes I do, I play sometimes when we’re in the hotel or when we’re traveling with the boys, it’s great to have a high rating as a player.
Do you play as Liverpool or as the Netherlands?
I do. I play as a bit of both. Got to keep on representing our teams.
How does it feel when you’ve got the controller in your hands because the players look really realistic nowadays?
They do yes, with the face cams. It’s almost like you’re there on the pitch yourself. They do an amazing job. I enjoy every bit of it.
And if you’re playing as Liverpool, who is the best player on FIFA 19 in a Liverpool shirt?
I don’t know! Now myself because I’m 95 but before that I think Mo [Mohamed Salah] and Bobby [Roberto Firmino]. We have a lot of fantastic players on FIFA to be fair as we have a great team.
FIFA 19 is Available Now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Conditions and restrictions apply. See https://www.easports.com/uk/fifa/fifa-19-game-and-offer-disclaimers for details.
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