Virgil van Dijk remains 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 way in which for Van Dijk to be given the captaincy final summer season, in one of many proudest moments of his profession.
All eyes had been on how the Dutchman would carry out with the added stress – what we noticed was a footballer again to his very best.
Virgil van Dijk, 2023/24
Began: 45 (All competitions)On in its place: 3Unused sub: 5Goals: 4Assists: 2Overall Season Score: 8.71
Peak Van Dijk after a 12 months 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 sport, 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 improper we had been.
In a season riddled with damage issues to different key gamers, Van Dijk was nearly 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 degree 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 matches and holding the defence collectively.
No Liverpool participant gained extra of their aerial duels (81.7%) or a better share 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 may be for a lot of 2023/24.
Whereas others round him began to wilt and lose type, the Netherlands captain retained a particularly excessive degree, however there was finally solely a lot one man may do.
In the long run, Liverpool ran out of steam and the objectives conceded tally racked up, however 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 perpetually 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 regarded like a successful objective earlier within the sport, however he wasn’t to be denied in extra-time.
It was a objective that immediately added to Van Dijk’s legend, as he gained the sport, celebrated in fashion and lifted a trophy in his first 12 months 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 way in which Van Dijk marshalled the troops summed up his greatness.
Throughout 120 minutes of relentless motion on the massive Wembley pitch, Van Dijk made seven clearances, gained seven of his 10 duels and accomplished extra passes than every other participant with 92 (91% accuracy).
Put merely, Klopp’s last season would have been trophyless with out him, and his winner was the cherry on high of yet one more defensive masterclass.
Essentially the most iconic gamers produce when it actually issues – and no participant made an even bigger contribution to Klopp’s last trophy win than Van Dijk.
Huge Virg as vital as ever
There are query marks over numerous gamers this summer season, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez not wholly convincing, and Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah not getting any youthful.
In terms of Van Dijk, nevertheless, he stays as very important to the trigger as ever.
Naturally, some pundits didn’t embody him of their Staff of the Season – it will get boring selecting him after some time! – however he was once more the most effective centre-back within the Premier League.
At 32, others will naturally start to begin writing his footballing obituary, when in truth, he seems pretty much as good as he did when he was 28.
Finally, a long-term alternative will have to be discovered, and a brand new defender is important this summer season 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 fashion 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, regardless that his present deal expires subsequent summer season, and increasing his keep by one other two or three years is a no brainer.
Liverpool’s greatest-ever defender remains to be initially of his captaincy chapter, and anticipate loads 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 objective.
Worst second: The combination-up with Alisson at Arsenal.
Position subsequent season: Key starter.
