Liverpool remain one of the very best teams in the Premier League, but we’re reaching the end of an era at Anfield now.
Indeed, many of the Reds’ star players in recent years have left the club now, and the ones that remain are into their 30s and their powers are waning in some cases.
Mohamed Salah is playing better than ever, as is Alisson, but Andy Robertson and, most importantly, Virgil van Dijk aren’t quite at the level they were a few years ago, even if they are still brilliant.
Speaking to Squawka, Jose Enrique has now shared his verdict on Van Dijk’s showings this term, claiming that the Dutchman isn’t at the level he once was, but he’s still the very best in the Premier League.
Van Dijk still the best
Enrique gave his verdict on the £75m man.
“I don’t think he’s in that kind of level, but even then he’s still the best centre-back in the Premier League. He’s that good, you know. Definitely, he’s outstanding, he’s been fantastic this season and I’m so happy to see him like that. Because I could imagine how it is with a surgery like his, coming back from that, always a little bit scared with things at the start, he’s not him. He’s a human being, I didn’t have that injury but I had something pretty similar to that. And it’s very difficult to come back and feel comfortable. And it looks like it feels nice, he feels completely confident and happy again,” Enrique said.
That good
Enrique is absolutely right, Van Dijk is still one of the very best defenders in the world despite going backwards in recent years.
Van Dijk, at his peak, may well have been the most dominant defender we’ve ever seen, and while he’s not quite at that level these days, he’s still truly world-class.
Make no mistake about it, Liverpool are title contenders again this season, and Van Dijk is at the heart of that title push.
It’s a testament to his ability that he’s still among the best in the league, and long may that continue.