Robbie Savage thinks Liverpool have the best central defender on the planet in Virgil van Dijk.
The former Wales international turned (admittedly ropey) pundit made the claim on BBC5Live, cited for us by the Sport Review.
“Van Dijk is the best centre half in the world at the moment,” he said, following our 1-0 victory over Brighton which makes it three wins from three this season, and three clean-sheets to boot.
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Since van Dijk arrived in January for £75m, we’ve kept 11 League clean-sheets, more than any other side in Europe. We haven’t conceded a domestic goal at Anfield since February. Our defence has gone from a laughing stock to the pride of the city, largely thanks to the Dutchman.
These stats from Squawka sum up what he’s actually been doing on the pitch, as well:
Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League for Liverpool:
17 games
95% tackle success rate
91 aerial duels won
90 clearances
83 recoveries
22 interceptions
19 tackles won
10 clean sheets
10 goals conceded
0 errors leading to goalsThe centre-back Liverpool were crying out for. 💪 pic.twitter.com/dV3OLZmzKK
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 27, 2018
Joe Gomez looks like a terrific natural central defensive partner to van Dijk, too.
The young Englishman has excelled so far and Dejan Lovren will do very well to win his spot back in the side.
Gomez has calmness on the ball and seems to be benefitting massively from playing alongside van Dijk, as most defenders do.
With the marauding duo of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson either side, with Alisson between the sticks, we’re more confident in a defensive unit than we have been in many a season.