Assessing Virgil van Dijk’s Position Among Premier League Centre-Backs

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk delivered another excellent performance on Sunday, effectively neutralizing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. Liverpool’s 2-0 victory extended their lead at the top of the league to nine points, placing them 11 points ahead of four-time consecutive champions City. Following this, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher stated on social media that Van Dijk is “the best centre-back we’ve ever seen in the Premier League”. Carragher further commented, “I always said it was John Terry before Van Dijk came along”. He added, “All great defenders of the past had attackers who caused them problems, but who ever causes Van Dijk any?”. Carragher remarked, “He’s just played against [Real Madrid’s Kylian] Mbappe and Haaland in the last four days and played them with such ease he could’ve played with a cigar.” He concluded, “Please stop this silly debate about the best centre-back, it’s not even close.” The 33-year-old Netherlands defender, Van Dijk, has demonstrably proven his worth, having been signed by Liverpool from Southampton in 2018 for a world-record £75m, contributing to the Reds’ Premier League and Champions League triumphs. The ex-Celtic player has secured victories in 148 of his 210 Premier League appearances for Liverpool. Among centre-backs, his 70.5% win ratio is surpassed only by Manchester City’s John Stones and former Manchester United player Nemanja Vidic. With a 43% clean sheet percentage at Liverpool, Van Dijk trails only Vidic, Arsenal legend Tony Adams, and Chelsea icon Terry among players with 200 or more starts. Since the 2006-07 season, Van Dijk has achieved a higher percentage of successful duels and aerial duels than any other Premier League centre-back (excluding those with limited involvement). Among centre-backs who have played 3,500 minutes or more since January 2018, Van Dijk has the lowest rate of being dribbled past per 90 minutes. On average, an opponent successfully dribbles past him once every seven games, a total of only 29 times. Chris Sutton, a former Blackburn striker, commented on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, stating: “[Ex-Leeds and Manchester United player] Rio Ferdinand was a slightly different player to Terry. “Terry was a phenomenal defender. Tony Adams was a brilliant leader. “I get the Van Dijk shout as well. He has absolutely everything. People would look at Ferdinand’s trophy haul and say ‘well it has to be him’. “Currently yeah, I think he is – that’s me sort of copping out a bit but John Terry was phenomenal as well though so can we have a joint three – Terry, Ferdinand and Van Dijk?” Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given remarked that it is “all about different opinions”. He listed potential candidates, asking: “Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic, Jonathan Woodgate in his prime before he went to Real Madrid, Colin Hendry at Blackburn, John Stones get a mention in his prime?” Given also acknowledged Paul McGrath as “what a player”. The article invites readers to rank 10 iconic Premier League centre-backs, noting that many quality players meant some legends could not be included.