‘Let’s be clear’: Gary Neville makes big claim over one Liverpool player who’s ‘that good’

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Gary Neville has waxed lyrical over Virgil van Dijk for making those the Liverpool defender features alongside better players, while speaking on Sky Sports Main Event (18/10, 23:00).

The former Manchester United right-back feels Van Dijk is simply ‘that good’ he could make Jamie Carragher look half decent if the Reds icon were to return to the Anfield backline.

Van Dijk has been an ever-present in Jurgen Klopp’s line amid Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season. The 30-year-old has started all eight fixtures and helped to five clean sheets so far. Despite missing the previous 10-months with a cruciate ligament injury.

Van Dijk has admitted, via BBC Sport, he accepts he will face extra scrutiny for his Liverpool performances while he looks to get back to his best. But Neville still rates the Dutch star a cut above, and praises his ability to make others better players.

“I’ve seen [Joel] Matip a lot over the last 12 to 18-months. I think that with the centre-half he’s playing alongside, to be fair, you could honestly put [Carragher] alongside Van Dijk now, and he’d do half okay,” Neville claimed. “Van Dijk is that good. So let’s be clear, Van Dijk is unbelievable. So, I think Matip will always look half good alongside [Van Dijk].”

Could Carragher star alongside Van Dijk for Liverpool, as Neville claims?

Van Dijk may feel he is still getting back to his best, but deserves Neville’s praise for his Liverpool performances. The Dutchman has been key to Klopp’s side keeping clean sheets in five of their eight league fixtures so far.

His reading of the game has helped the Reds sniff out danger, while offering a composed and encouraging presence. Van Dijk also offers Liverpool a deep-lying option to spread play out from the back.

Van Dijk has had some moments below his 100% best since returning for Liverpool’s first game of the season. But has continually overcome those small wobbles to grow into the fixtures, and demonstrate why Neville praises him so highly.