‘He does exactly that’: Hamann believes one Liverpool ‘leader’ makes them a better team than Bayern Munich

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Didi Hamann believes Virgil van Dijk is what separates Liverpool and Bayern Munich. The Dutchman is just that good.

Just who is the best team in the world right now? Really, there are three choices – Liverpool, Manchester City or Bayern Munich. That trio consistently play the best football on the planet and dominate the competitions they play in.

Few players have managed to play for all three but Didi Hamann is an exception. The German midfielder won major trophies for both Bayern and Liverpool before spending time with City to end his playing career.

And Hamann believes Liverpool are the team to beat right now. Not that it isn’t close. In fact, he feels that one player separates the Reds from Bayern.

“Liverpool are the best team in Europe,” he told Sky Sports Germany. “They celebrated a commanding victory in a 3-1 win in Lisbon.

“They have the best defence, an incredibly strong offence. Defensive leader Virgil van Dijk wins duels and leads the team. He does exactly that and represents exactly what Bayern lacks.”

As for City, Hamann believes Liverpool have the upper hand thanks to being more varied than their rivals.

“I think Liverpool are much more variable, and I also see them having the advantage on Sunday in the top match of the Premier League, even though Manchester City are playing at home,” he said.

Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool

Van Dijk really is the difference between Liverpool being a solid Champions League side and being one of the world’s best. We saw that when he joined the club, immediately transforming a hit-and-miss team into UCL finalists.

It’s only been upwards from there, injury-hit season aside. Van Dijk truly is good enough to push Liverpool to that ultimate level.

And that does create a ‘problem’ now that he’s beyond 30. The Dutchman won’t be around forever and Liverpool need to think about life after him. Fortunately, Ibrahima Konate’s start to life at Anfield suggests he might take over the mantle of ‘elite defender’.

But as things stand, Van Dijk is unquestionably a difference-maker for Liverpool. His form over the last two months here could be what delivers the biggest trophies.