Lille captain Jose Fonte has admitted to being wowed by Liverpool talisman Virgil van Dijk during their time together at Southampton, while speaking to Squawka.
The veteran centre-half has formed a partnership with some of the finest defenders of the modern era, from Pepe to Bruno Alves, Toby Alderwiereld to Ruben Dias – and a certain £75 million Dutchman.
But, when it comes to crushing strikers into submission and pulling off perfectly-executed challenges, one stands out a mile in Fonte’s memory.
“If (a defender) is really good in aerial duels and really good in tackling, that’s a big attribute. Bruno Alves and Pepe were very aggressive players but if we’re talking specifically about duels I have to say Van Dijk (was the best),” said the former Southampton favourite.
“He doesn’t lose duels normally, either in the air or tackling.”
It is no coincidence that Liverpool’s title defence has crumbled into a million pieces in the absence of arguably Europe’s finest central defender.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have already conceded more goals this season (34) than they did in the whole of 2020/21 (33).
So it is fair to say Van Dijk’s return cannot come soon enough.
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