Michael Owen has claimed that one present Liverpool participant should be thought of among the many greatest-ever exponents of his place.
The Carabao Cup ultimate on Sunday noticed Virgil van Dijk web the profitable aim late in further time, shortly earlier than lifting his first trophy as Reds captain, a job he assumed from Jordan Henderson final summer time.
The Dutchman has been a colossal determine for the membership since becoming a member of from Southampton simply over six years in the past, and one former Anfield striker believes the 32-year-old can legitimately stand among the many all-time centre-back greats.
Talking on Premier League Productions, Owen stated of the Liverpool skipper: “Man of the Match, match winner as properly. His general efficiency. He is likely one of the greats for my part.
“I used to be pondering again to the centre-halves I’ve watched and performed towards. What doesn’t he do? He’s obtained completely the whole lot. He needs to be one of many biggest centre-halves of all-time.”
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Liverpool have made loads of astute signings throughout Jurgen Klopp’s reign on the membership, however few (if any) have been as transformative because the £75m seize of Van Dijk halfway by means of the 2017/18 marketing campaign.
The Reds had conceded 28 objectives after 23 Premier League matches that season. Within the subsequent 53 top-flight video games (of which the Dutchman missed just one), the defence was breached 32 instances (Transfermarkt).
Imperious within the air, composed on the ball, a pure chief and astute at discovering the web within the opposition penalty space – he’s netted 23 objectives for us, averaging slightly below one each 10 video games (Transfermarkt) – the 32-year-old is certainly probably the most full defenders in world soccer.
It was no coincidence that Liverpool’s title defence three years in the past floundered within the absence of long-term harm casualty Van Dijk, amongst quite a few teammates, and it speaks volumes to his resilience that he got here again from 9 months out to as soon as once more develop into the world’s greatest participant in his place.
Some Reds followers would possibly nonetheless discover it onerous to forgive Owen for his profession selections within the 2000s, however the ex-Anfield striker’s feedback about our present captain are bang on the cash.
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