Virgil van Dijk: The Best in the World and He's Going Nowhere
For The Skipper - It was always Liverpool...
Virgil van Dijk Is Still the Best Defender in the World
There is a strange kind of silence surrounding Virgil van Dijk these days. Not from those who watch Liverpool week in, week out. Not from the Kop. But from some corners of the football world who seem almost bored of his brilliance. And that, in itself, tells you everything.
In a season where Liverpool reclaimed the Premier League title under new boss Arne Slot, much of the spotlight understandably fell on the Dutch manager and his transformational impact. But while the narrative shifted to Slot’s success and Mohamed Salah’s goals, the man anchoring this entire campaign with firm assurance and imperious authority was Virgil van Dijk.
Captain, Leader, Colossus
It is easy to forget that this was just Van Dijk’s second season as full-time Liverpool captain. He stepped into the role vacated by Jordan Henderson, while also handling the impact of Jurgen Klopp’s departure. Where others might have stumbled, he simply raised the standard.
Van Dijk made 49 appearances across all competitions and remained the rock of Liverpool’s title-winning defence. While others were rotated or nursed through fixtures, Van Dijk was the constant. And not because he had to be, but because no one else could do what he does.
He was almost faultless in his performances. Sure, you can nit-pick about one or two moments, perhaps the West Ham game or a brief lapse against Everton, but even those were followed by immediate responses, including crucial goals and commanding displays.
Some say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. But Liverpool fans know exactly what they have. They know because when Van Dijk is not on the pitch, the defence lacks that same assuredness, that same presence, that ability to control space without even touching the ball.
Passing, Presence and Peerless Leadership
One of the most underappreciated aspects of Van Dijk’s game has always been his passing. It’s truly devastating. Those long diagonals to Salah, Diaz or Gakpo have become a feature of Liverpool’s build-up play. You don’t replace that with a willing runner or a physical unit. That’s vision, technique and calmness all wrapped into one.
No other central defender in the league, or even in the world, can ping a 60-yard pass into the pathof a teammate like Van Dijk. Without him, Liverpool lose one of their biggest weapons in transition.
But beyond technique, Van Dijk has oozed with class. since taking the armband. When the club needed a leader in the post-Klopp world, he didn’t just fill the gap, he became the figurehead of the next era. From rallying the squad, to literally asking fans to wear red in a show of unity, he’s demonstrated what leadership really looks like.
Overlooked but Undeniable
So why isn’t he in more conversations for Player of the Season?
Quite simply, because Mohamed Salah exists. Salah had yet another ridiculous campaign, breaking records, bailing the team out with last-minute goals, and proving once again that he’s among the world’s elite. If Salah didn’t exist, Van Dijk would be a shoo-in for the award. And even with Salah, the captain deserves more recognition than he’s received.
Football fans often suffer from fatigue when it comes to greatness. We get used to it. We expect it. And when it becomes normal, we stop applauding it. But what Van Dijk has done this season by adapting to a new manager, guiding a younger team, staying consistent while others rotated, should not be normalised.
Seven years into his Liverpool career, he remains the best defender in the world. I find it impossible to argue otherwise.
Future Under Slot Looks Bright
With Arne Slot at the helm, Liverpool are clearly entering a new chapter. The early signs are incredibly promising. A Premier League title in his first season, a renewed sense of tactical sharpness, and a refreshed squad.
Jeremie Frimpong’s arrival at right-back following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit adds pace and dynamism. Milos Kerkez looks set to provide balance on the left. There’s talk of another central defender joining, but whoever it is, they will have the luxury of learning next to a generational talent.
And as much as Salah’s extension was rightly front-page news, Van Dijk signing a new two-year deal might prove just as significant. You’re not just keeping a world-class footballer and defender, but also someone who embodies everything there is about Liverpool.
For me, there is no better player to lead Liverpool into this next generation than Virgil van Dijk.