Jamie Carragher names who he thinks was the better defender… Virgil van Dijk or John Terry

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Jamie Carragher has given high praise to Virgil van Dijk ahead of Liverpool’s game against Manchester City tomorrow.

Van Dijk has been back to his imperious best for the Reds this season. Having already been the match-winner in the Carabao Cup final, the Dutchman will lead Liverpool into their biggest game of the campaign yet.

Given his brilliant form of late, the debate has restarted over whether Van Dijk is the best centre-back in Premier League history. Liverpool supporters would certainly argue that case.

And so too, it seems, would former Reds defender Jamie Carragher. Carragher took part in a ‘winner stays on’ round with Thierry Henry for Sky Sports Premier League yesterday.

Having picked Chelsea legend John Terry ahead of Rio Ferdinand, the former Liverpool player was asked to choose between Terry and Virgil van Dijk.

“Is this the final?” asked Carragher. “No,” replied Henry. “Van Dijk,” decided Carra, before choosing Liverpool’s current captain over both Nemanja Vidic and Vincent Kompany.

Carragher picks Van Dijk

There will be plenty of people who are minded to strongly disagree with Carragher on this one. But in reality, the only thing either Terry, Vidic or Kompany have over Van Dijk is trophies won.

Of course, when you’re competing at the very top level, you want to be winning as many trophies as possible. This is always going the yardstick for picking between great players.

In terms of titles lifted, Van Dijk is trailing well behind this heavyweight trio.

But we’d always argue that when you’re trying to choose between individuals, it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to take team achievements into consideration.

Even if you do, Van Dijk has been a whisker away from having just as impressive a trophy collection as anyone else.

Two runners-up finishes with 90+ points is not to be downplayed. Liverpool have also lost two Champions League finals with Van Dijk in the team. Turn those silver medals into gold and it starts to look a lot different.

So, Virgil has still been a decisive part of what has been a hugely successful and impressive team.

Taking that away, Van Dijk can stack up against just about any centre-back to have ever played the game. He has everything you’d want from a top defender and as Carragher says, he’s got pace to add on top as well. Put some respect on his name.