The Tottenham Hotspur public may have a new hero to worship for years to come in defender Micky Van de Ven.
Pundit Stephen Warnock praised the speedy Dutchman while commentating on yesterday’s match for BBC 5 Live.
These scenes at full-time show how much excitement there is around Tottenham at the moment.
When Joel Matip’s ill-advised clearance fell into Alisson Becker’s goal, joy reigned in the stadium.
Most of the team rushed to the far corner to celebrate with Pedro Porro. The Spaniard was in phenomenal form throughout the match and delivered the cross that Matip made a mistake.
However, alone on the halfway line, Micky Van de Ven simply collapsed in joy, relief and exhaustion.
The home crowd appreciated Van de Ven after he was introduced to the first team a few days after signing from Wolfsburg.
Liverpool have one of the most exciting attacking squads in the league, but even with 11 men, the £43m defender is up to the challenge.
Tottenham fans love Van de Ven
Speaking about the defender in the first half, Warnock said:
“You wouldn’t think [Micky] Van de Ven would have that speed. “He might be slow for the first yard or two, but when he gets going, wow, he can drive.
“[Cody] Gakpo thought he was in behind there but van de Ven just put on the afterburners. The Spurs fans reacted and are singing his song, they love him.”
Much has been made of Van de Ven’s scintillating pace but it’s far from the only string to his bow.
He reads the game brilliantly for someone so young, making sure he can use his pace to get in between the attacker and the ball at the earliest opportunity.
Van de Ven isn’t afraid to throw himself in front of shots either, although that has already resulted in two deflected goals going in off him this season.
The biggest part of his game this season has been finding a way to help Cristian Romero rediscover his best form.
Romero was one of many Spurs players struggling towards the end of the last regime but his importance to the side means that when he’s playing well, it lifts everyone else around him.
