Virgil van Dijk ‘is FAR better than Nemanja Vidic’, claims Carragher
Van Dijk #VanDijk
Jamie Carragher has jumped to the defence of Virgil van Dijk and claimed that the Liverpool defender is ‘far better than [Nemanja] Vidic’.
The Netherlands international received criticism on social media for his performance in the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, with particular focus on his role in the first goal.
Van Dijk accidentally, in an attempt to clear the ball, sent it into the path of Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli – who went on to poke the ball in the back of the net.
A number of social media channels posted about the centre-backs performance, with one suggesting that van Dijk had suffered a ‘drop off’ in levels and referenced previous comparisons with ‘Terry, Kompany, Rio and Vidić’.
Carragher took to Twitter on Monday morning to rebuke those criticisms and insisted that the Liverpool defender remains the ‘best centre-back in the league’.
Carragher wrote: ‘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.
STATISTICS: VAN DIJK VS VIDIC
Premier League games played:
Van Dijk – 220
Vidic – 211
Premier League clean sheets:
Van Dijk – 90
Vidic – 95
Goals conceded:
Van Dijk – 202
Vidic – 133
Stats via Premier League
‘Never mind the best CB in the league, he’s been the best player in the league along with KDB for four years before this one.
‘We have never spoken about about other CB’s being the best player before, that shows the level he was at.’
The central defender came under fire from Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville for his roles in Arsenal’s two goals on the day.
Gabriel Jesus put the Gunners 2-0 up just 20 minutes later, rising high above Virgil van Dijk, who stood and watched Martinelli’s cross sail over his head, allowing the Arsenal forward to head past the goalkeeper.
When analysing the goal, Keane said: ‘Really poor defending. Liverpool not at it. No intensity. Jesus standing in the middle of the box.
‘Van Dijk’s ball watching. There’s no pressure on the ball. Far too easy for Arsenal. I bet he can’t believe his luck.’
Neville later added: ‘There is an element of luck in that Liverpool back four. You can defend them as they have the credit in the bank over the years, the performances, but it’s getting really difficult.
‘They’re not doing the basics. Even there, Trent not sprinting back. Van Dijk idling across, legging someone up. It’s schoolboy stuff,’ he added.
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world during his trophy-laden Liverpool career, but, like his team-mates has struggled to find consistency this season.
The 31-year-old was left out of Liverpool’s recent goalless draw with Chelsea but returned to the starting line-up for Sunday’s Anfield clash.
Match commentator Martin Tyler attempted to inject some humour into the occasion as he compared Van Dijk’s defending against Arsenal to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Carragher is part of Sky’s match commentary team alongside Neville and was hammered by his colleagues as they referenced his torrid game up against legendary Arsenal striker Thierry Henry in 2004.
He was run ragged by the Arsenal Premier League title-winner in that game as Tyler quipped Van Dijk’s foul, ‘reminded me of Carragher vs Henry.’
Tyler then further added, ‘It might be the anniversary of Carragher vs Henry. April the 9th,’ before Carragher retorted, ‘Sky are never shy in showing it.’
Read more