Virgil van Dijk | Performances

Bergman said:
I'm talking about our back four, not sure what Alisson has to do with that as I was talking about the cost of our starting defenders. They cost us a total of abour 87m and I'm pretty sure they are the youngest defensive unit in the league. Average age of just under 23.
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The level of goalkeeper can have a big impact on how good the back four look, I don't think it's fair to just remove him from the equation when (especially in modern football) they're a real part of that back line.

87m isn't huge money when compared to a side like City, but it isn't chump change either. Like I said, ours cost less than half that and doesn't feature any youth products. Your backline is a good mix of cheap pickups (Robertson, Gomez) and significant investment (VVD, Alisson) which is fair enough, but I don't think too much praise should be offered for keeping costs down when those two were nearly 150 million between them.
 
He is not really special as some think he is, right? I mean, even Smalling who many want gone had periods in recent seasons where he was literally dominating lower teams attacks all by on his own, but no one really said he is Ballon d'Or material.

He is good though, actually excellent when you compare him with many defenders these days, but that's about it. No reason to praise him that much and buy the hype Liverpool fans sing about him.
 
Amar__ said:
He is not really special as some think he is, right? I mean, even Smalling who many want gone had periods in recent seasons where he was literally dominating lower teams attacks all by on his own, but no one really said he is Ballon d'Or material.

He is good though, actually excellent when you compare him with many defenders these days, but that's about it. No reason to praise him that much and buy the hype Liverpool fans sing about him.
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Very good defender but vastly overrated. People go on about him like he's a Maldini/Nesta type level. He's a monster in the air, good strength and good with the ball. A bit suspect in some elements of defending, though.
 
Trizy said:
Very good defender but vastly overrated. People go on about him like he's a Maldini/Nesta type level. He's a monster in the air, good strength and good with the ball. A bit suspect in some elements of defending, though.
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Yupp. He is to me basically on Smallings level, only with a few more modern qualities that boosts his rep, also he plays for Liverpool and was expensive so the hype will naturally be in place. I happen to love both of their styles, they aren't too dissimilar.
 
MikeKing said:
Yupp. He is to me basically on Smallings level, only with a few more modern qualities that boosts his rep, also he plays for Liverpool and was expensive so the hype will naturally be in place. I happen to love both of their styles, they aren't too dissimilar.
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Yup. Definitely top 15 best defenders at the moment. Just not a generation talent that Liverpool fans like to think :lol:
 
He’s class and will only get better. I hate Liverpool but some of the posts above are pure LOL. “Smallings level” ffs :wenger:
 
Vadim said:
He’s class and will only get better. I hate Liverpool but some of the posts above are pure LOL. “Smallings level” ffs :wenger:
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He's in his late twenties :lol:. This is Van Dijk's level, and he will actually get worse in his 30s since most of his game is based on physicality.
 
breakout67 said:
He's in his late twenties :lol:. This is Van Dijk's level, and he will actually get worse in his 30s since most of his game is based on physicality.
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My bad, thought he was 23/24?!

My point remains though: Smalling’s level? Not a chance.
 
Vadim said:
My bad, thought he was 23/24?!

My point remains though: Smalling’s level? Not a chance.
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Depends how you classify it to be honest. I'd say that Van Dijk is better in both boxes and slightly better on the ball, but is he so much better that he can be considered in the elite bracket? I don't think so.

I'd have Smalling as a 7/10 defender and Van Dijk as a 8/10 defender. If I were to want a defender in my team it would be neither of them. I can think of several players better at defending that Van Dyke and that list is even bigger with Smalling.
 
Overrated as feck
So many blunders in big games
Their PL GA might be down, but still conceding a lot in the CL
 
Overrated as feck yet Liverpool have only conceded 5 league goals all season?

Please stop making me stick up for a Liverpool player.

We’d all love him at Utd. He’d walk into every team in the Premier League.
 
Vadim said:
Overrated as feck yet Liverpool have only conceded 5 league goals all season?

Please stop making me stick up for a Liverpool player.

We’d all love him at Utd. He’d walk into every team in the Premier League.
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You're doing a great Liverpool fan impression to be honest. You're even doing that thing where you ignore competitions that make Van Dijk look worse just to put him on a high mantle.

Van Dijk does well against inferior opposition that don't have the technical quality because physical domination is a huge part of his game. He has regularly been found wanting against top level opposition due to positional/anticipation mistakes. A good defender no doubt, but that's about it.

I would love Koulibaly, Chielini and Godin. Probably Umtiti and Varane over him since they arent even in their prime yet while Van Dyke is. Sure i'd take Van Dyke since he's an upgrade on our defenders, but he's not an elite level defender for me.
 
breakout67 said:
Depends how you classify it to be honest. I'd say that Van Dijk is better in both boxes and slightly better on the ball, but is he so much better that he can be considered in the elite bracket? I don't think so.

I'd have Smalling as a 7/10 defender and Van Dijk as a 8/10 defender. If I were to want a defender in my team it would be neither of them. I can think of several players better at defending that Van Dyke and that list is even bigger with Smalling.
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What players are on your list?

Edit: just saw your post above mine.
 
He hasn’t regularly been found wanting at all. Gave away a penalty against City and had an off night tonight.

Other than that he’s been faultless this season.

We’d be lower in the table without him.
 
breakout67 said:
You're doing a great Liverpool fan impression to be honest. You're even doing that thing where you ignore competitions that make Van Dijk look worse just to put him on a high mantle.

Van Dijk does well against inferior opposition that don't have the technical quality because physical domination is a huge part of his game. He has regularly been found wanting against top level opposition due to positional/anticipation mistakes. A good defender no doubt, but that's about it.

I would love Koulibaly, Chielini and Godin. Probably Umtiti and Varane over him since they arent even in their prime yet while Van Dyke is. Sure i'd take Van Dyke since he's an upgrade on our defenders, but he's not an elite level defender for me.
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I usually agree with most of what you say, (except for the really biased stuff), but this is just plain wrong. He's playing against the best attack in world football this season with Henderson as his DM protection, I dont think any of the defenders you've listed would fair any better. IMO put any of those defenders in our team and our defensive level drops. Especially guys like Godin and Chiellini who play in very defensive teams. Definitely an elite defender.
 
He could have both his legs removed and he wouldnt be at Smallings level. You cant cricitise his for tonight. He's playing against a forward line where you pretty much hope to survive whoever your centrebacks are. Those 3 are an elite forward line. Stunningly fast and will leave you with twisted blood. His performance was alright, but one game doesnt make a player. He's a top defender.
 
"On Smallings level" would only apply if Smalling was good on the ball. He isn't, so Smalling isn't at Van Dijks level. A physically dominant CB that isn't bad on the ball is quite rare and suits any manager and game-plan.
 
Not as quick as bailly, not as good a passer as Lindelof, not as good at tackling as Jones, not as good at heading as smalling and not as Argentinian as Marcos rojo. He’s shite.
 
What are people saying - Van Dijk played like a vector last night?
 
Arbitrium said:
Not as quick as bailly, not as good a passer as Lindelof, not as good at tackling as Jones, not as good at heading as smalling and not as Argentinian as Marcos rojo. He’s shite.
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I am a Spurs fan and I disagree. VVD has eyes for killer passes and is like a midfielder playing in defence. He may not have many assists but he consistently makes long passes put his team in advantageous goal-scoring position, spark a counter attack, or relieve pressure from the opponent. As a passer, I think that VVD is better than both Alderweireld and Vertonghen.
 
Angry Virginian said:
I am a Spurs fan and I disagree. VVD has eyes for killer passes and is like a midfielder playing in defence. He may not have many assists but he consistently makes long passes put his team in advantageous goal-scoring position, spark a counter attack, or relieve pressure from the opponent. As a passer, I think that VVD is better than both Alderweireld and Vertonghen.
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Nowhere near as good a passer as alderweireld.
 
I am wondering why you guys do not bump the Laporte thread every time City concede considering he is also an expensive CB playing for a rival?
 
Keeps It tidy said:
I am wondering why you guys do not bump the Laporte thread every time City concede considering he is also an expensive CB playing for a rival?
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I think alot of the reaction to VVD tonight has been hyperbolic, but the reason Laporte's doesn't get bumped is he's not routinely described as world class or the best in England at his position.
 
breakout67 said:
Depends how you classify it to be honest. I'd say that Van Dijk is better in both boxes and slightly better on the ball, but is he so much better that he can be considered in the elite bracket? I don't think so.
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Slightly? His on the ball skills are by far Smalling's biggest weakness. I'd say VVD is comfortably better with the ball at his feet than Smalling. But then so are most outfield players that are on the pitch (for either team). If Smalling could even marginally improve in this area, he'd be a top PL CB.
 
MadDogg said:
Defensively they are similar. Of course, VVD's ability on the ball puts him out in front quite significantly.
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As does his strength, heading ability, leadership, composure and overall package as a player.
 
He's overrated as Liverpool players always are but hes still a very good player and you cant judge on last night. Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe will turn any current centre back pairing inside out. It's the midfield where the game was lost.
 
Keeps It tidy said:
I am wondering why you guys do not bump the Laporte thread every time City concede considering he is also an expensive CB playing for a rival?
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Because Laporte isn't touted as the best defender in the world and a likely Ballon d'Or winner by his fans as this guy regularly is.

Having said that he's tiers above the dud Smalling. United fans claiming there's a contest between the two aren't much better than the dippers claiming they have the next Ballon winner.
 
Samid said:
Because Laporte isn't touted as the best defender in the world and a likely Ballon d'Or winner by his fans as this guy regularly is.
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This is just not true at all but keep making things up.
 
Samid said:
Because Laporte isn't touted as the best defender in the world and a likely Ballon d'Or winner by his fans as this guy regularly is.

Having said that he's tiers above the dud Smalling. United fans claiming there's a contest between the two aren't much better than the dippers claiming they have the next Ballon winner.
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I do not think anyone actually said that(at least on here). If I remember correctly @KirkDuyt said that and it was made as a joke after a Dutch win.
 
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