Better Than Ever?
Harking back to the 2022/2023 season, Liverpool was in shambles. The majority of the squad looked tired, jaded, and lacking in the trademark intensity prevalent in Jurgen Klopp teams. Many of Liverpool’s key men looked below-par, including our rock at the back, Virgil van Dijk. Despite having an excellent 2021/22 season, van Dijk looked past his best. The familiar aura of invincibility and confidence looked shattered. Our defense was opened up time and time again. Then, it looked like the end of an era, both on and off the pitch, especially in the context of van Dijk. Having come off a serious ACL injury two seasons prior, you could be forgiven for thinking that our Dutchman’s better days were beyond him.
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Thankfully, we were wide off the mark. Since his official appointment as Liverpool captain following Jordan Henderson’s departure, van Dijk has raised his game to match. Last season saw the Netherlands international back to his very best, with a MOTM performance in the League Cup final, a Premier League team of the season selection, and, most recently, a FIFPRO 11 selection voted on by his fellow players. Given the extensive sample size over the last 18 months, I don’t think there’s any doubt that our number four is back to his best. But the question remains, is he even better than he was before?
Looking At The Numbers
Statistically, van Dijk holds numbers comparable to his best seasons. He possesses a 74% aerial duel win rate, 5 clearances, and 2 interceptions per 90 minutes. Not to mention, he is spearheading the best defense in the Premier League thus far. Obviously, he doesn’t have the turn of pace he once had, especially recovering from that ACL injury a few seasons ago. But van Dijk’s ability to compensate for that and position himself better to rely less on making up ground is brilliant. It’s worked wonders so far this season, especially when partnered with his, leadership and organizational qualities. Simply put, we don’t have the best defense in the league right now without VVD, and if this holds firm throughout the season, it will no doubt feed into the narrative that van Dijk is aging like fine wine.
A New Contract Soon?
Given his importance to the squad, you’d think a new contract for van Dijk is imperative. We need our captain focused if Liverpool is to go the distance under Arne Slot. With the Dutchman out of contract by the end of this season, the clock is certainly ticking. Although there has been recent news of the Reds opening negotiations, there might still be a ways to go before an agreement is reached. Between himself, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, those are three of Liverpool’s best players all out of contract at the end of the season. No matter how you slice it, that’s not ideal. Liverpool fans will be hoping that those in the front office are working overtime to ensure the deals get over the line.
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For van Dijk, a footballer of his caliber doesn’t come around that often. There’s a reason why even some of the older Liverpool fans, who’ve seen the great teams of the 70’s and 80’s comfortably put VVD in their all-time XI’s. He’s simply, that good. Is he even better than he was during our best years under Jurgen Klopp from 2018 through 2020? It remains to be seen, but continuing at this pace, if he helps guide the Reds to some of the biggest trophies this season, and potentially beyond, the argument can certainly be made.
