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BALLON D'OR: VIRGIL VAN DIJK REFLECTS ON COMING SECOND PLACE Bournemouth's Nathan Ake has hailed the influence of Virgil van Dijk on his development as he prepares to go up against
his international team-mate at the Vitality Stadium. The Liverpool colossus finished second to Lionel Messi earlier this week in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting, as he hoped to become the
first defender to win the prestigious award since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006. RELATED ARTICLES Yet despite his shortcomings, Ake has paid tribute to his compatriot for specialist guidance on
the training field at the KNVB Campus with Holland, which has helped him flourish in Ronald Koeman's exciting set-up and the Premier League. “He’s a fantastic player and man. He’s a
very good guy off the pitch as well,” the 24-year-old said at the launch of Need For Speed Heat in London. “Everyone knows how he plays but one of his biggest qualities is that he likes to
help people. “Especially on the pitch, when I’m playing with him he’s trying to give you instructions to help each other positionally and to provide cover. “Obviously he is a big leader for
the team so to learn from somebody like that is perfect for me. JUST IN: LIVERPOOL BOSS JURGEN KLOPP AIMS VEILED DIG AT EVERTON BOARD OVER MARCO SILVA SACKING Nathan Ake has opened up on
advice from Virgil van Dijk ahead of Bournemouth's clash with Liverpool (Image: GETTY) “I try to take everything I can from his game that will help me improve and become a better
player.” Those words suggest that Van Dijk has fulfilled a promise he made to Ake after Liverpool beat Bournemouth 3-0 at Anfield in April 2018. "As captain of Holland, I hope for him
to grow as a player and as a human being," said Van Dijk. "I hope he can achieve as much as possible and, when we are with the national team, I can help him as well. He is doing
very well and has so much potential." One month prior to that, the pair marshalled the Netherlands to a clean sheet in a resounding 3-0 friendly win over Portugal, offering a glimpse
into the future of the Oranje backline. DON'T MISS LIVERPOOL STAR MOHAMED SALAH ‘WILL BE FUMING’ DESPITE EVERTON WIN BECAUSE ‘HE’S CHANGED’ THIERRY HENRY CLAIMS JURGEN KLOPP SHOWED
LIVERPOOL STAR HUGE RESPECT DURING EVERTON WIN ARSENAL SET TO MISS OUT ON MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI BECAUSE OF MANCHESTER UNITED RELATED ARTICLES Nathan Ake has been learning from Liverpool star
Virgil van Dijk while on international duty (Image: GETTY) Virgil van Dijk has taken Nathan Ake under his wing with the Netherlands (Image: GETTY) Ake will have his work cut out though when
he tries to keep Liverpool’s holy trinity of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino at bay on the South Coast. Liverpool have scored 14 goals without response in their last four
meetings with the Cherries. While Jurgen Klopp’s side are often lauded for their ruthless streak in front of goal, Ake believes Van Dijk’s arrival on Merseyside marked their transition into
defensive powerhouses. He added: “They had the best defence in the league last season and have reached two Champions League finals, so I don’t think that’s a coincidence.” Stopping Liverpool
in their tracks would certainly strengthen Ake’s case to pip Matthijs de Ligt to a starting spot alongside Van Dijk at next summer’s European Championships. The Netherlands have been handed
a handsome draw ahead of next summer’s tournament alongside Ukraine, Austria and the winner of Play-off Winner D (Georgia, Belarus, North Macedonia and Kosovo) in Group C. Koeman’s side
will then face a third placed team in the Round of 16 and will also avoid the big boys should they make the quarter-finals. The former Everton and Southampton boss led Holland to the Nations
League final earlier this year and has completely reinvigorated the fortunes of the national side since taking over the reigns in February 2018. “He’s very good. I think every since he came
in he’s been doing brilliant with the squad,” Ake said. Nathan Ake was speaking at the launch of Need For Speed Heat (Image: EA Sports) Nathan Ake was speaking at the launch of Need For
Speed Heat (Image: EA Sports) “Obviously he knows the game, he’s played so many and he’s a big figure in Holland so I think that obviously helps. “He’s played the position as well so he
knows it well and he’s always trying to help the squad. “It’s your country so it’s obviously going to be different [to club football]. It’s one of the biggest honours you can ever achieve as
a player.” _NATHAN AKE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LONDON LAUNCH OF NEED FOR SPEED HEAT, WHICH IS OUT NOW FOR PLAYSTATION 4, XBOX ONE AND PC._ _Order your copy in time for Christmas at:_
https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/need-for-speed/need-for-speed-heat