Jurgen Klopp has hailed Virgil Van Dijk as the ‘best defender the world’, ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
The Liverpool captain has been in impressive form in recent weeks and back to his best
since his nine months spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in
his right knee during a Merseyside derby against Everton back in 2021/22 season.
Van Dijk opened his Premier League goal scoring account in midweek against Sheffield United
where he volleyed home, his first goal of the season from a Trent Alexander Arnold corner, to put the Reds on course for a 2-0 Premier League victory. The victory against the bottom side puts them just two points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Klopp could not hide his delight at the form of Virgil Van Dijk
“Virg is the best defender in the world. Did he have lesser good spells? Yes. But show me one
who never had, I’d be really happy to meet him”, said the Liverpool boss.
Since the world’s most expensive defender arrived at Anfield in January 2018 he has played a
significant role in making the Liverpool defence the toughest in the Premier League.
The Dutchman impressed the Anfield faithful after a debut to remember, scoring against rivals Everton in the FA Cup.
He was also a huge part of the Liverpool which team which won their first Premier League trophy in 2020.
Klopp was in full admiration of his captain and compared him to the some of the Premier League
great centre backs.
“How we all are, we look back at the Rio Ferdinand’s or Jaap Stam’s or Sami Hyypia. Were they
always perfect?”, Klopp stated.
“Nobody was and nobody will be. Virg in this shape for us is super, super, super important!”
