Danny Murphy boldly claimed that Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk was the best centre-half in the Premier League and that he looked effortless during games.
The pundit, frequently seen on BBC’s Match of the Day and Football Focus, then proceeded to state that the Reds were ‘heavily’ reliant on the player but you’d struggle to find a team that didn’t lean on certain players.
Murphy ended his remarks on Van Dijk by stating that the Reds’ with the defender in their team were now able to win games that sometimes their performances didn’t warrant.
“I think Van Dijk is the best centre-half in the Premier League and it’s effortless when you watch him play,” said Murphy on talkSPORT (Monday December 10, 12:10).
“He is such a leader now, maybe heavily, well I guess you can argue every team is heavily reliant on some players, they are winning games that sometimes their performances don’t warrant.”
OPINION
It’s a bold to call anyone the best player in their position in the Premier League as fans of different clubs will obviously argue a case for why all the best players currently play for them. Yet if you asked the majority of supporters who regularly watch England’s top-flight, they will no doubt name Van Dijk as the best centre-back of the bunch as he does continually deliver the goods for the Reds. The 27-year-old has played 21 times across all competitions for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season and it would be a hard ask for someone to find a bad performance by him. While all his displays aren’t 10/10, I mean that would be a huge ask, Van Dijk’s performances are always of a certain standard and it’s no wonder Murphy thinks the Reds rely on him a bit. Given that the defender would be a huge loss at the back if injury occurs, especially with Joe Gomez already out, then it’s hard to disagree with the BBC pundit.
