VIRGIL VAN DIJK cannot be put in the same bracket as Rio Ferdinand or Vincent Kompany after his “arrogant” performance against Leeds, according to Gabriel Agbonlahor.
The Premier League champions mustered a dramatic 4-3 victory against the newly-promoted side in a game with questionable defending throughout.
Van Dijk endured a difficult afternoon in the 4-3 win over LeedsCredit: EPA
Liverpool were pegged back by Leeds on three occasions before Mo Salah bagged his hat-trick with the winner.
Van Dijk, 29, was also on the scoresheet when he headed home Liverpool’s second from a corner.
But he was at fault for Patrick Bamford’s goal when his flick fell into the path of the striker.
And former Aston Villa ace Agbonlahor believes the Dutchman – who was also branded “arrogant” by Jamie Carragher – still can’t be put in the same category as other Premier League great centre-backs.
Van Dijk has transformed Liverpool since his £75million arrival in 2018, guiding them to the Prem title and to Champions League glory.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT: “Everyone knows Virgil van Dijk is an unbelievable defender.
“But I felt yesterday’s performance was, from Van Dijk, arrogant; that flick he made in the goal he gave away, it felt like ‘we are playing Leeds United, it’s going to be an easy game and I can let my standards drop’.
“And in that game, he did [let his standards drop].
Rio Ferdinand remains one of the Premier League’s legendary centre-backsCredit: PA:Press Association
Van Dijk is also not at the level of Vincent Kompany, says AgbonlahorCredit: Getty – Contributor
Former Villa striker Agbonlahor was speaking on talkSPORTCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
“Even Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right was poor defensively as well.
“Van Dijk is a great defender, and he will be one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game, but when people start putting him in the Vincent Kompany and Rio Ferdinand bracket…
“I think people forget how good certain players were as time goes by.
“People forget how good Rio Ferdinand was in his prime; you wouldn’t even want to go on the same side of the pitch as him!
“It was the same with Kompany, and John Terry as well; you just wouldn’t want to take them on as you’d have no chance.
“Virgil van Dijk is an amazing defender, but you can’t put him in that category of Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany yet.”
Jurgen Klopp says there is ‘space for improvement’ after Liverpool conceded three goals vs Leeds opening day, but insists everything is ‘all good’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
