Liverpool have had some fine players over the years of the Premier League but it’s hard to argue that any have been better – defensively anyway – than Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds have seen superstars like Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and in recent times, Mo Salah, grace the pitch and leave their own mark on Anfield.
However, when it comes to defensive players, Van Dijk has been on another planet since his £75m move from Southampton.
At the time, Van Dijk was the most expensive defender ever bought before Harry Maguire and then Josko Gvardiol went above him.
But what is more interesting at the time are comments from seasoned pundits and former players, Alan Shearer and Gary Neville.
Manchester City's Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland shoots past Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk but has his shot saved during the...
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Virgil van Dijk makes Gary Neville and Alan Shearer eat their words with Liverpool legacy
After seeing Liverpool had forked out £75m on Van Dijk, opinions flooded in from around football.
But it is Shearer and Neville, two highly-respected pundits in the English game, who seemed to have big doubts.
Speaking for the BBC at the time, Shearer commented:
“Southampton have got one hell of a deal. Van Dijk is a good player, yes, but for £75m? No, he’s not worth it at all. Southampton could have named any price they wanted. They knew Liverpool were absolutely desperate for a centre-half. Everyone is aware they are desperate – we have seen them come up short several times this season.
“When Liverpool try and sign a goalkeeper – which they also desperately need – they will find the same thing. We’ve been saying it for a number of years now – that transfer fees have gone through the roof – and this one has taken it to another level.”
Expressing further surprise at the move, Gary Neville was also stunned on Sky Sports.
“It’s a lot of money isn’t it. I’ve not seen a lot of Southampton but I don’t even know if he’s been playing that well? I know Liverpool have wanted him for six months. He’s a good defender, if they can get him back to his best – which they’ll need to for £75m won’t they.
“When you told me when I got here I was like ‘wow, £75m’. Not surprised at the transfer but that is an incredible amount of money. What can I say. Liverpool need defenders, and they need to pay to get him.”
Van Dijk stifling Haaland again shows Liverpool got a bargain
Any transfer fee that is huge like Van Dijk’s was is going to come under scrutiny but you have to say that for the performance levels and success they’ve had, Liverpool got a bargain with Van Dijk.
Over the nearly eight seasons he’s been with them now, it works out around £9m a season in terms of the fee. Some teams pay more than that every window to get a new defender in.
Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool (Premier League)
Appearances 277
Goals 23
Assists 13
Clean sheets 109
Win percentage 63.1
Van Dijk has been part of Champions League and Premier League winning sides, while he once again stifled Erling Haaland against Man City this weekend. Haaland has scored just once in four appearances against the Dutchman.
As for Neville and Shearer, well, sometimes, you just have to hold your hands up and say you got it wrong.
At the time, the money was huge so the reaction was natural. But Virgil van Dijk has been more than worth the money and Liverpool will be a weaker team when he does pack up and leave.
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