Gary Neville says Virgil van Dijk does something far more than many people think at Liverpool

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According to Garry Neville, there is something Virgil van Dijk does far more than many people think.

It’s very rare that current or former Manchester United players give respect to Liverpool’s stars. The rivalry between the two teams is steeped in history. For decades, the two cities have been at a constant struggle, not just in the realm of football but in trade and culture as well.

As a Manchester United club legend, and a Mancunian through and through, Gary Neville was always a pantomime villain on the pitch in big matches between the two sides. He was one of those players as a Liverpool fan you just couldn’t find any redeeming quality about.

But as a pundit, Neville has been starkly different. To his credit, while the United bias is naturally present in his views, he can also be quite impartial. That’s something you don’t often have with ex-professionals.

The latest proof in case, is Neville’s comments about Virgil van Dijk. Very much giving the Liverpool captain the respect that he deserves.

What Gary Neville said about Virgil Van Dijk

Van Dijk has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League over the last few seasons. He has really taken his game to another level since being appointed as captain of the club as well.

Speaking on The Overlap, Neville was asked about which player he would bring into the current Manchester United team. Surprisingly, Neville picked the current Liverpool defender.

“I would probably take Van Dijk. I just think Van Dijk would bring a dominance to the team and a presence to the team that we probably haven’t got. We haven’t got a forward as good as Mo Salah. But we’ve got talented forwards,” Neville said.

“I always think if you’ve got a spine of strength and presence; we always say, don’t we, there’s no Roy Keanes anymore, there’s no Vincent Kompanys anymore, there’s no John Terrys anymore, there actually is one now at Liverpool when you think about how he’s performed this season, in Van Dijk.”

The former Manchester United defender also went onto explain how there was one thing Van Dijk did that has gone under the radar.

“He is a massive presence on that pitch. He’s not the same character as maybe some of those that I’ve mentioned. But he actually is quite dominant on the pitch, and he does actually speak a lot more than many people think.

“And he is actually someone you can see he’s got an aura about him. And I think if you want to change Manchester United’s complete and utter culture, they need a dominant person that holds them together, and I think that Van Dijk would control Mainoo, even someone like Antony or Rashford. I think he would build them, not break them.”

Can Van Dijk win PFA Player of the Season?

Van Dijk has been excellent for Liverpool so far this season. He has taken his game to even greater heights than before.

With him in the side, Liverpool’s defence has once again become formidable, and the numbers reflect that as well. Especially through Van Dijk’s dominance in the air.

If Liverpool continue to stay top of the Premier League table, Van Dijk simply cannot be ruled out as a potential contender for the PFA Player of the Year. He deserves the accolade based on his performances this season.