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Van Dijk far better than Man Utd legend, claims Jamie Carragher
Robin Bairner
- 10 Apr 2023 10:36 BST
- 4 min read
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that Virgil van Dijk is a “far better” player than Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic was an is simply experiencing a poor season.
Van Dijk’s defending has come under scrutiny with increased regularity this season and the Netherlands international did himself few favours on Sunday during the Premier League encounter against Arsenal.
The 31-year-old was at the heart of a defence that conceded two cheap goals.
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For Arsenal’s opener, the ball cannoned off him before the visitors scored, while the second was converted by Gabriel Jesus, who had been left with plenty space in the box to head home when Van Dijk was meant to be marking him.
“Van Dijk didn’t fancy it against Jesus. He was beaten, well beaten,” Sky Sports pundit and Man Utd legend Gary Neville said.
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Though the Reds fought back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Mohamed Sala and Roberto Firmino, there remains a sense that Liverpool underachieved against the Premier League leaders.
Indeed, the draw means that a top-four finish has been taken further away from the Reds, who are now 12 points short of Manchester United in fourth.
Carragher defends Van Dijk
While the Liverpool midfield has been most closely scrutinised for a dip in form, Van Dijk has also been criticised and Carragher has stepped in to defend the centre-back.
Taking to Twitter, the Anfield legend said: “Virgil van Dijk is far better than Vidic, who was a top centre-back, but have you forgot his performances against Fernando Torres?
“Rio Ferdinand & John Terry had poor seasons in their career like all players. VVD is having one now.
“No centre-back in the Premier League era has ever had Virgil van Dijk’s impact on a team.”
VVD is far better than Vidic, who was a top CB, but have you forgot his performances against Torres?
Rio & JT had poor seasons in their career like all players, VVD is having one now.
No CB in the PL era has ever had VVD’s impact on a team. https://t.co/rZ7vfHRN7d— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 10, 2023
He added: "Never mind the best centre-back in the league, he's been the best player in the league along with Kevin De Bruyne for four years before this one.
"We have never spoken about other centre-backs being the best player before, that shows the level he was at."
Carragher had taken exception to a tweet that claimed: “Virgil Van Dijk's drop off is actually insane. People were comparing him to Terry, Kompany, Rio and Vidic.”
