Virgil van Dijk continues to be unrivalled among the many world’s main centre-backs, following an impressive first season as Liverpool captain.
Jordan Henderson and James Milner‘s exits paved the best way for Van Dijk to be given the captaincy final summer time, in one of many proudest moments of his profession.
All eyes had been on how the Dutchman would carry out with the added strain – what we noticed was a footballer again to his very best.
Virgil van Dijk, 2023/24
Began: 45 (All competitions)
On as an alternative: 3
Unused sub: 5
Objectives: 4
Assists: 2
Total Season Score: 8.71
Peak Van Dijk after a yr off
Van Dijk’s performances in 2022/23 had been, by his personal admission, unsatisfactory.
Like so many, he lacked depth and errors began creeping into his recreation, main some to counsel he had peaked.
Having turned 32 in July, and with an ACL damage within the financial institution, there was no assure that Van Dijk would ever attain the degrees we witnessed between 2018 and 2022.
How flawed we had been.
In a season riddled with damage issues to different key gamers, Van Dijk was virtually an ever-present within the Premier League, beginning 36 out of 38 video games.
No Reds participant began extra instances within the league and no participant clocked extra minutes in all competitions.
Whereas Man Metropolis and Arsenal had been famed for his or her stage of management in matches, Liverpool’s video games had been extra chaotic and open, that means they wanted their skipper to be near-perfect.
For the overwhelming majority of the marketing campaign, that proved to be the case, with Van Dijk cruising by way of matches and holding the defence collectively.
No Liverpool participant received extra of their aerial duels (81.7%) or a better proportion of tackles (81.3%);
There was one high-profile cock-up with Alisson at Arsenal, however such incidents can occur to any participant, and Van Dijk was as near faultless as a defender might be for a lot of 2023/24.
Whereas others round him began to wilt and lose type, the Netherlands captain retained a particularly excessive stage, however there was in the end solely a lot one man may do.
Ultimately, Liverpool ran out of steam and the objectives conceded tally racked up, nevertheless it was arduous to put a lot blame on the toes of Van Dijk.
League Cup winner a legendary second
If there may be one second that may eternally outline Van Dijk’s 2023/24 season, it’s the Carabao Cup-winning header in opposition to Chelsea.
The Liverpool skipper had already been cruelly robbed of what seemed like a profitable aim earlier within the recreation, however he wasn’t to be denied in extra-time.
It was a aim that immediately added to Van Dijk’s legend, as he received the sport, celebrated in model and lifted a trophy in his first yr as captain.
What shouldn’t be forgotten is how colossal he was in his all-round efficiency that day at Wembley, although.
With Klopp fielding the likes of Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns, the best way Van Dijk marshalled the troops summed up his greatness.
Throughout 120 minutes of relentless motion on the large Wembley pitch, Van Dijk made seven clearances, received seven of his 10 duels and accomplished extra passes than some other participant with 92 (91% accuracy).
Put merely, Klopp’s closing season would have been trophyless with out him, and his winner was the cherry on high of one more defensive masterclass.
Essentially the most iconic gamers produce when it actually issues – and no participant made a much bigger contribution to Klopp’s closing trophy win than Van Dijk.
Huge Virg as essential as ever
There are query marks over a variety of gamers this summer time, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez not wholly convincing, and Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah not getting any youthful.
In terms of Van Dijk, nonetheless, he stays as important to the trigger as ever.
Naturally, some pundits didn’t embrace him of their Staff of the Season – it will get boring selecting him after some time! – however he was once more one of the best centre-back within the Premier League.
At 32, others will naturally start to start out writing his footballing obituary, when actually, he seems to be nearly as good as he did when he was 28.
Ultimately, a long-term alternative will must be discovered, and a brand new defender is important this summer time with Joel Matip leaving and Ibrahima Konate injury-prone, however Arne Slot will know the significance of Van Dijk from the off.
It may even be that he advantages extra from his incoming supervisor’s much less frantic model of play than Klopp’s, leaving him much less uncovered than earlier than.
The towering Dutchman seems laid-back about his contract state of affairs, though his present deal expires subsequent summer time, and increasing his keep by one other two or three years is a no brainer.
Liverpool’s greatest-ever defender continues to be at first of his captaincy chapter, and anticipate lots extra legendary tales to be written earlier than he hangs up his boots.
No Reds participant was higher in 2023/24.
Finest second: The Carabao Cup-clinching aim.
Worst second: The combo-up with Alisson at Arsenal.
Position subsequent season: Key starter.
