Virgil van Dijk continues 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 best possible.
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 yr 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 recreation, main some to counsel he had peaked.
Having turned 32 in July, and with an ACL harm 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 harm issues to different key gamers, Van Dijk was virtually an ever-present within the Premier League, beginning 36 out of 38 video games.
No Reds participant began extra occasions 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 received extra of their aerial duels (81.7%) or the next proportion 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 could 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 in the end solely a lot one man might do.
In the long run, Liverpool ran out of steam and the targets conceded tally racked up, but it surely was laborious 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 endlessly 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 appeared like a profitable aim earlier within the recreation, however he wasn’t to be denied in extra-time.
It was a aim that immediately added to Van Dijk’s legend, as he received the sport, celebrated in type and lifted a trophy in his first yr 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 large Wembley pitch, Van Dijk made seven clearances, received seven of his 10 duels and accomplished extra passes than every other participant with 92 (91% accuracy).
Put merely, Klopp’s closing season would have been trophyless with out him, and his winner was the cherry on high of one more defensive masterclass.
Probably the most iconic gamers produce when it actually issues – and no participant made a much bigger contribution to Klopp’s closing trophy win than Van Dijk.
Massive Virg as essential as ever
There are query marks over various gamers this summer season, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez not wholly convincing, and Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah not getting any youthful.
With regards to Van Dijk, nonetheless, he stays as important to the trigger as ever.
Naturally, some pundits didn’t embrace him of their Staff of the Season – it will get boring choosing 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 start out writing his footballing obituary, when the truth is, he appears to be like nearly as good as he did when he was 28.
Ultimately, a long-term substitute 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 might even be that he advantages extra from his incoming supervisor’s much less frantic type of play than Klopp’s, leaving him much less uncovered than earlier than.
The towering Dutchman seems laid-back about his contract scenario, though his present deal expires subsequent summer season, and lengthening his keep by one other two or three years is a no brainer.
Liverpool’s greatest-ever defender continues to be at first of his captaincy chapter, and anticipate a lot 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 aim.
Worst second: The combination-up with Alisson at Arsenal.
Function subsequent season: Key starter.
