JAMIE CARRAGHER is adamant that Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is “far better than Nemanja Vidic”.
The Dutch international defender has been criticised for his recent displays for Reds.
And he was blasted again for his display in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
While attempting to clear the ball, Van Dijk accidentally sent it into the path of Gunners ace Gabriel Martinelli and the forward made no mistake in opening the scoring.
That led to one Twitter account highlighting the centre-back’s “drop off” in form and referenced previous comparisons to legends “Terry, Kompany, Rio and Vidic”.
But former Liverpool star Carragher took to Twitter on Monday to hit back at those criticisms and insisted that Van Dijk is the “best centre-back in the league”.
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He tweeted: “VVD is far better than Vidic, who was a top CB, but have you forgot his performances against Torres?”
That was a reference to Liverpool’s stunning 4-1 win at Old Trafford in 2009 when Spanish forward Fernando Torres scored twice and tortured ex-United man Vidic, with the Serbian eventually being sent-off.
Carragher then added: “Rio & JT had poor seasons in their career like all players, VVD is having one now. No CB in the PL era has ever had VVD’s impact on a team.
“Never mind the best CB in the league, he’s been the best player in the league along with KDB for four years before this one.
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“We have never spoken about other CB’s being the best player before, that shows the level he was at.”
Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2017 and has helped them to reach three Champions League finals since – winning one in 2019.
He also played a key role in ending their 30-year title-drought as they became Premier League champions in 2020.
Van Dijk has also lifted the FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during his time at Anfield.
Vidic, 41, spent eight years at United after arriving from Spartak Moscow in 2006.
He won the Champions League during that period as well as the Premier League title five times.
He also three League Cups and the Fifa World Club Cup in his trophy cabinet.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
