Athlete

I was never a standout player until I played for the under-19s and became the captain. Then everything went much better - I played some games for the under-23s and after that it went pretty quickly.

I was never a standout player until I played for the under-19s and became the captain. Then everything went much better - I played some games for the under-23s and after that it went pretty quickly.

Ronaldinho - he was one of my idols.

I love playing for Liverpool, I am proud to wear the shirt.

I'm a big TV show guy.

If you're nervous you think: 'I don't want to make mistakes or give the ball away.' But you limit your own qualities then.

Quite a lot of things are more important than playing football and what we do, we are blessed.

The only thing I want to do is focus and get better.

When I went to FC Groningen, I had to take my bike to training - my first wage went on driving lessons. Before I signed my contract, I was 15 or 16 and working as a dishwasher in a Breda restaurant.

I try to read the game as well as I can.

To play with pressure is always a good thing. I like to play with pressure.

I think as a central defender you grow as a player.

I have improved since I joined Liverpool.

I think it is a very important thing in football to keep each other awake and alert.

Personally, I like to put things in perspective.

I just enjoying playing for Liverpool, it doesn't really matter who is standing next to me.

We just need to keep improving. Keep doing what we are doing and get better. That's the only way forward.

There are always things we can still learn to perfect.

The influence of social media is unbelievable. It's sad to see - it's a fake life that some people live.

At Liverpool, we are all part of one unit, not just the 11 on the pitch.