Jamie Carragher claimed that Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk had replaced Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany as the best centre-back in the country.
The Sky Sports pundit shared that he believed van Dijk had effectively become what Kompany used to be for Manchester City a few years ago while heaping praise on him.
Carragher described the Reds’ centre-back as being quick and powerful before stating he was the best in the country for his position currently.
“Yep Van Dijk, I think if we were having this discussion a few years, you would have said Kompany but I think Van Dijk has become that hasn’t he?” said Carragher while picking a Liverpool – Manchester City Six-a-Side team for Sky Sports.
“That main central defender, powerful, quick, probably taken Kompany’s place as the best centre-back in the country.”
OPINION
It’s no surprise to hear Van Dijk get such huge praise as the centre-back is one the main reason why Jurgen Klopp’s side are considered title contenders this season. The 27-year-old centre-back is a fantastic talent who has proven time and time again that he can deliver the goods at the highest level. Given that Kompany, who is now 32-years-old, isn’t even a guaranteed starter at Man City and has had to battle several injury problems in recent years, then Carragher’s claim is fair. A few years ago the Belgian centre-back was clearly head and shoulders above his rivals in the Premier League as he looked to be the complete defender. However as always, time moves on and younger player always emerges to take on that title. Luckily for Liverpool it is now them who look like having the best centre-back in the country and even though they had to pay a hefty price to get him, it was money well spent.
