Carragher claims Liverpool star is 'TOO GOOD' for the top level

Cameron Smith

Updated: 7 Feb 2025 16:29 GMT
3 min read

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes that Virgil van Dijk is “too good for the highest level of football.”

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The Netherlands international scored his 26th Liverpool goal during their 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening and Carragher was eager to sing his praises after the Reds booked their place in the Carabao Cup final.

Van Dijk helped Arne Slot’s side to their 17th clean sheet of the season so far and Spurs new boy Mathys Tel failed to make a meaningful impact, largely due to the imperious Dutchman.

The 33-year-old is due to become a free agent this summer, but Carragher has seemingly urged his former club to reach a contract extension agreement following his immaculate performance against Tottenham.

What has Jamie Carragher said about Virgil van Dijk?

“He’s [Van Dijk] too good for the highest level of football,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “It’s almost like it’s too easy for him and it almost feels like there should be another level about that for Van Dijk.

“He plays the game with such ease. I’ve watched him against [Erling] Haaland - the best goalscorer around, a big and powerful lad with pace - and it doesn’t even feel like he’s trying.

"He's too good for the highest level of football" 👏

Jamie Carragher says it almost feels like there should be another level of football for Virgil van Dijk 🥇 pic.twitter.com/rv4ZxIXeJ6
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025

“I’m trying to think of what level of football there is where he’d actually have to go to ground to make a block or really sprint. Has he sprinted in the game today?

“He is the best [defender in the Premier League] but it’s not even a debate. This nonsense about all the other defenders, he’s so far above [them] it’s a joke.

“Football is that easy for him. I’ve never seen a player that at ease, probably in any position, it’s a walk in the park for him.”

Van Dijk has made 302 appearances for Liverpool since his €84.7 million move from Southampton in January 2018 and he is expected to sign a new contract at Anfield soon.