Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has been a revelation in defence ever since joining the club.
Jurgen Klopp transformed his defence with the signing of Virgil van Dijk, immediately seeing Liverpool’s great weakness turn into arguably their biggest strength.
Alisson’s arrival this season has helped things along further and Liverpool have conceded 14 fewer goals at this stage of the season as compared to a year ago.
Van Dijk’s fantastic form has led to many wondering just where he stands in the pantheon of great Liverpool centre-backs but Ian Rush feels it’s too soon to compare him to the likes of Alan Hansen.
“Well, he’s still got a long way to go, for me,” Rush told TalkSPORT. “If Alan Hansen would be playing football today, he’d be an absolute world-beater.
“Even in our day, he never tackled anyone, but on the ball he was absolutely unbelievable – he was like a midfielder.
“I think Van Dijk and Joe Gomez could be absolutely incredible.
“But whoever plays with Van Dijk plays well – Lovren, Matip – Van Dijk organises the defence and helps them all round. That’s how good he has been.”
Rush is difficult to argue with, of course – Hansen won eight league titles and three European Cups at Anfield and until Van Dijk can help bring trophies, he’ll always be behind the greats.
The Dutch captain does have the talent for it and is arguably one of the absolute best defenders on the planet right now, and you can certainly bet that he will play a big part in any trophies lifted by Liverpool over the next few seasons.
But Hansen & co proved they were winners – and that’s the biggest test for Van Dijk.
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