Author Topic: Virgil Van Dijk (Cpt) (Read 1461259 times)

That bit of play towards the end when Connolly was offside going one on one with Alisson and Virg still caught up with him and toe-poked the ball away before he could shoot was just unreal. They didn't even showed a replay cause the lino flagged it, but I just stared at the screen in disbelief for a few seconds.

Happy birthday you big beautiful bastard, love you to bits!

redgriffin73 · « **Reply #6449 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:08:32 pm »

Quote from: Stubby! on July 8, 2020, 10:17:27 pm

He's a piss take at the back.

There was one point second half where he just stepped in front of their attacker and knocked the ball away and then just kind of waved his hand and glanced at their player in a withering way like "did you really think you were gonna get past me?"

MBL? · « **Reply #6450 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:11:27 pm »

Quote from: Gods_Left_Boot on July 8, 2020, 11:02:43 pm

That bit of play towards the end when Connolly was offside going one on one with Alisson and Virg still caught up with him and toe-poked the ball away before he could shoot was just unreal. They didn't even showed a replay cause the lino flagged it, but I just stared at the screen in disbelief for a few seconds.

Happy birthday you big beautiful bastard, love you to bits!

That was Gomes?

Adeemo · « **Reply #6451 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:12:25 pm »

Quote from: MBL? on July 8, 2020, 11:11:27 pm

That was Gomes

It wasn’t, that was a different incident.

duvva 💅 · « **Reply #6452 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:13:47 pm »

Quote from: MBL? on July 8, 2020, 11:11:27 pm

That was Gomes?

It was Virgil and it was ridiculous and magnificent in equal measure

MBL? · « **Reply #6453 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:14:36 pm »

Quote from: Adeemo on July 8, 2020, 11:12:25 pm

It wasn’t, that was a different incident.

Yeah that’s right, didn’t see a replay but looked like it might have been a pen. I was thinking of an earlier incident where Gomes nipped it out for a corner.

thejbs · « **Reply #6454 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:35:53 pm »

My favourite player of the past thirty years. Just fucking boss.

Wingman · « **Reply #6455 on:** July 8, 2020, 11:40:34 pm »

I think I’ve said this before, but whenever I have something on my mind or I can’t sleep - I just remember that Virgil plays for Liverpool and all my problems fade away.

jooneyisdagod · « **Reply #6456 on:** July 9, 2020, 01:33:04 am »

Quote from: DelTrotter on July 8, 2020, 10:14:25 pm

The best CB to ever play the game.

Of the ones I've watched in my lifetime, I have to agree. He's a phenom.

Brian Blessed · « **Reply #6457 on:** July 9, 2020, 01:42:46 am »

Quote from: gerrardisgod on July 8, 2020, 10:16:48 pm

That interception/control/flick over his head header

We need a gif! That was brilliant.

Ray K · « **Reply #6458 on:** July 9, 2020, 08:45:29 am »

Quote from: Brian Blessed on July 9, 2020, 01:42:46 am

We need a gif! That was brilliant.

Not a gif, but this genuinely made me burst out laughing last night. Imagine being in such complete control of every facet of the game that you decided to head it away to yourself. The audacity of it.

https://twitter.com/nathanmurf/status/1281126604295548928?s=20

Kloppo.GER · « **Reply #6459 on:** July 9, 2020, 09:02:30 am »

Quote from: Ray K on July 9, 2020, 08:45:29 am

Not a gif, but this genuinely made me burst out laughing last night. Imagine being in such complete control of every facet of the game that you decided to head it away to yourself. The audacity of it.

https://twitter.com/nathanmurf/status/1281126604295548928?s=20

He is just so coolly, on another level.
Every other defender would be panicking and try to header back to the goali

.

Barrow Shaun · « **Reply #6460 on:** July 9, 2020, 09:38:16 am »

I grew up learning stories about and watching Bobby Moore and Beckenbauer. Then I watched Hansen with my own eyes. Then it was Italy's footy on tv in the late 80s/early-mid 90s and Baresi and Maldini.

This guy has got the lot, a sum of all of them - one of the most complete players I have ever seen in my life. And to think I winced a bit at 75 million quid!

Andy2508 · « **Reply #6461 on:** July 9, 2020, 09:42:11 am »

Quote from: Ray K on July 9, 2020, 08:45:29 am

Not a gif, but this genuinely made me burst out laughing last night. Imagine being in such complete control of every facet of the game that you decided to head it away to yourself. The audacity of it.

https://twitter.com/nathanmurf/status/1281126604295548928?s=20

He tops it off with a no look pass aswel, ridiculous!

[new username under construction] · « **Reply #6462 on:** July 9, 2020, 09:42:21 am »

We should buy that Virgil Van Dijk lad, saw him playing last night and was quite good, keep it to ourselves though ok!

bradders1011 · « **Reply #6463 on:** July 9, 2020, 09:43:52 am »

That one where Connolly was in but offside, Virgil didn't know and made up 2 or 3 yards in a couple of seconds to toe the ball away.

That had Maldini and Baresi purring.

Enders · « **Reply #6464 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:01:37 am »

Bargain

The phrase 'Rolls-Royce of a defender' doesn't come close to defining his game, and how his displays appear so utterly effortless

He is without question the best central defender I've ever seen play for Liverpool

Absolute boss

Robinred · « **Reply #6465 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:23:29 am »

Quote from: Barrow Shaun on July 9, 2020, 09:38:16 am

I grew up learning stories about and watching Bobby Moore and Beckenbauer. Then I watched Hansen with my own eyes. Then it was Italy's footy on tv in the late 80s/early-mid 90s and Baresi and Maldini.

This guy has got the lot, a sum of all of them - one of the most complete players I have ever seen in my life. And to think I winced a bit at 75 million quid!

Yep.

I’m old and have seen, I believe, all the lauded CBs from the 60s onwards. Obviously it’s television where much of that evidence comes from. Nevertheless I truly believe he is the best.

Last night he was the major difference and by far the most influential player on the park. Simply magnificent.

lionel_messias · « **Reply #6466 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:53:57 am »

Quote from: Andy2508 on July 9, 2020, 09:42:11 am

He tops it off with a no look pass aswel, ridiculous!

Vigil played that like he had a cigar out, slippers on while reading a copy of GQ.

Fiasco · « **Reply #6467 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:57:47 am »

He's so relaxed he's horizontal and yet he's the most switched on player in the team. To have both qualities is fucking mad and especially so when playing centre half.

I ran out of words to describe him a while ago but he really is something else.

SMASHerano · « **Reply #6468 on:** July 9, 2020, 11:20:13 am »

Quote from: newterp on July 8, 2020, 04:56:42 pm

transformational signing

This.

I think if there's one signing that has kickstarted our success recently, it's this one.

Jookie · « **Reply #6469 on:** July 9, 2020, 11:39:59 am »

Quote from: Enders on July 9, 2020, 10:01:37 am

He is without question the best central defender I've ever seen play for Liverpool

Same here.

In terms of best ever defender I'm not sure you can say that yet. Based on his all round attributes, and general lack of weaknesses, you can make an argument that he excels in certain areas compared with some of the great defenders of the last 30-40 years (Baresi, Maldini, Hierro, Nesta, Kohler, Cannavaro, Desailly, Ferdinand, Stam, Thuram, Puyol). I think there's a strong argument that's he better than some of those already.

What a lot of those great defenders have over Virgil is longevity at the top level. Van Dijk has really only been playing at top level club football for 2.5 seasons. He's only been an international for 5 season, has 30 odd caps and has never played in an international finals tournament (unless you count Nations League). He's got time to change this at both club and international level. If he keeps up this level for the next 4-5 seasons then he truly will be regarded as one of the very best few defenders in history. At the moment that shout is too premature for me.

In terms of Premier League defenders (so since 1992) I think he has a shout of being the best ever. Maybe already is. Excluding van Dijk, I think Terry, Campbell and Ferdinand are the best 3 centre backs in this era domestically. I actually think Ferdinand is the best out of those 3 due to his all round ability. VvD easily sits in a bracket with them 3 and I think you can easily argue he's 2nd in that list, maybe even 1st. He's already surpassed the likes of Adams, King, Desailly, Carrgaher, Hyypia, Vidic, Carvalho in terms of their Premier League performances.

Best ever Liverpool defender I've seen? Easily.

Best ever defender? Not quite yet

Golyo · « **Reply #6470 on:** July 9, 2020, 01:16:56 pm »

Quote from: Jookie on July 9, 2020, 11:39:59 am

Best ever defender? Not quite yet

How about the best two consecutive seasons by a defender ever?
And I've never in my life saw a rainbow header. That was outrageous.

Samio · « **Reply #6471 on:** July 9, 2020, 09:28:12 pm »

Anyone got a gif of ‘that’ header and no look pass from last night?

Dynasty · « **Reply #6472 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:08:08 pm »

Best defender ever and Allison is the best goalie ever no one has had a higher peak than either of them.

Wabaloolah · « **Reply #6473 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:20:53 pm »

Quote from: SMASHerano on July 9, 2020, 11:20:13 am

This.

I think if there's one signing that has kickstarted our success recently, it's this one.

definitely started the turnaround from nearly rans to Champions, the one that pushed us over the line though is Alisson. One without the other and you get the calamitous 2018 European Cup final. Together English, European and World Champions.

It's truly amazing to have them both in your side and all for the price of Continho who has turned to shite in comparison.

Both world record fees for their positions but both now priceless

El Lobo · « **Reply #6474 on:** July 9, 2020, 10:38:23 pm »

Yeah both have been incredible

Apparently Alisson has only ever lost one game at Anfield.....and it was with Roma

Morgana · « **Reply #6475 on:** July 9, 2020, 11:53:34 pm »

Quote from: Wabaloolah on July 9, 2020, 10:20:53 pm

It's truly amazing to have them both in your side and all for the price of Continho who has turned to shite in comparison.

Who?

him_15 · « **Reply #6476 on:** July 10, 2020, 12:47:28 am »

I don't think we will have a better CB in the next decade so I am enjoying every bit of him right now.

kavah · « **Reply #6477 on:** July 10, 2020, 03:37:46 am »

Quote from: Samio on July 9, 2020, 09:28:12 pm

Anyone got a gif of ‘that’ header and no look pass from last night?

Quote from: Ray K on July 9, 2020, 08:45:29 am

Not a gif, but this genuinely made me burst out laughing last night. Imagine being in such complete control of every facet of the game that you decided to head it away to yourself. The audacity of it.

https://twitter.com/nathanmurf/status/1281126604295548928?s=20

Jookie · « **Reply #6478 on:** July 10, 2020, 01:50:16 pm »

Quote from: Golyo on July 9, 2020, 01:16:56 pm

How about the best two consecutive seasons by a defender ever?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Fabio Cannavaro had 2 outstanding seasons between 2005 and 2007. 2005-06 Juventus were stripped of Serie A but Cannavaro was part of a defence that conceded only 24 goals in the league and lost only once in a 38 game season. He won the World Cup with Italy in 2006. Then went to Real Madrid and won La Liga in 2006/07. Cannavaro won Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006 alongside Italian Footballer of the Year.

Franco Bareis had 2 outstanding season back to back in 1987/88 and 1988/89, In 1987/88 he was leader of the defence and captain of a team that only conceded 14 league goals in a season (they conceded only 39 goals in 2 Serie A seasons combined). In 1988/89 he won the European Cup with AC Milan, coinciding only 3 goals on the way despite playing a brilliant Red Star Belgrade team, the German Champions (Werder Bremen), Real Madrid plus recent European Cup winners Steau Bucharest. This period in time culminated in him coming 2nd in the Balon d'Or in 1989. Just for the record he for won the European Cup again in 1989/90 (conceding only 2 goals in the competition) and then came runner up at the World Cup in 1990 and made team of the tournament.

No of the above is aimed to denigrate Van Dijk's performances. The last 2.5 seasons he's played at an unbelievable level that I don't remember many defenders having played at. The last 2 seasons put him in the conversation about the greatest defenders of the last 30-40 years. I think there's a lot of recency bias in making the claim he's the best defender ever. He's not currently but that doesn't mean he can't get to that standing. Needs more than 2.5 seasons of excellence at the top level for that claim to have much credence though.

na fir dearg · « **Reply #6479 on:** July 10, 2020, 02:17:54 pm »

Quote from: Jookie on July 9, 2020, 11:39:59 am

Same here.

In terms of best ever defender I'm not sure you can say that yet. Based on his all round attributes, and general lack of weaknesses, you can make an argument that he excels in certain areas compared with some of the great defenders of the last 30-40 years (Baresi, Maldini, Hierro, Nesta, Kohler, Cannavaro, Desailly, Ferdinand, Stam, Thuram, Puyol). I think there's a strong argument that's he better than some of those already.

What a lot of those great defenders have over Virgil is longevity at the top level. Van Dijk has really only been playing at top level club football for 2.5 seasons. He's only been an international for 5 season, has 30 odd caps and has never played in an international finals tournament (unless you count Nations League). He's got time to change this at both club and international level. If he keeps up this level for the next 4-5 seasons then he truly will be regarded as one of the very best few defenders in history. At the moment that shout is too premature for me.

In terms of Premier League defenders (so since 1992) I think he has a shout of being the best ever. Maybe already is. Excluding van Dijk, I think Terry, Campbell and Ferdinand are the best 3 centre backs in this era domestically. I actually think Ferdinand is the best out of those 3 due to his all round ability. VvD easily sits in a bracket with them 3 and I think you can easily argue he's 2nd in that list, maybe even 1st. He's already surpassed the likes of Adams, King, Desailly, Carrgaher, Hyypia, Vidic, Carvalho in terms of their Premier League performances.

Best ever Liverpool defender I've seen? Easily.

Best ever defender? Not quite yet

spot on