Feature'It's very similar…' - why an NFL star believes Virgil van Dijk would make a great safety

The Liverpool captain's alertness to danger and communication skills are traits required to be the lynchpin of the secondary in an American football team.

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Asked to pick a position for a current player, Reds supporter Fitzpatrick responded: "I would pick Virgil van Dijk. I'd put him at safety, to be honest.

"He plays defence, he's always communicating with everyone on the field. He's the captain of their team now but even before he was captain he was communicating, making sure everyone was in the right position.

"When someone breaks free, he has to clean it up – I think that's very similar to what a safety has to do on the football field."

Fitzpatrick is looking forward to seeing his beloved football club when they arrive in Pittsburgh for the first leg of their US pre-season tour.

Arne Slot's Reds kick off the trip against Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium on July 26, with Fitzpatrick and some teammates making a break from training camp to attend.

The three-time All-Pro safety said: "It's going to be kind of a crunch because we finish up at like 6.30 or something like that.

"But I talked to [a staff member] and said, 'Hey man, we could get a shuttle or something to get us over there and get us back.' And he's like, 'As long as you're back before bed check, you're good.'

"Whoever wants to come can go. I'm going to encourage it, for sure, a little team bonding."

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