Liverpool have been keeping things ultra tight at the back ever since Arne Slot arrived over the summer.
The Reds are looking good for a tilt at both the Premier League and Champions League, with a rock-solid defence the foundation on which the early success has been built.
Virgil van Dijk has, as ever, been key to Liverpool stopping goals going in the net.
Despite his advancing age and his contract ticking into its final six months, Van Dijk is arguably in as a good a form as he ever has been at Anfield.
Although some still like to deny it, the Dutchman is one of the greatest centre-halves ever to play the game.
In Premier League terms, Van Dijk is often pitted against Man United legend Rio Ferdinand. Now, Ferdinand’s former centre-half partner at United, Phil Jones, has weighed in on who he thinks is the better defender.
Phil Jones picks Virgil van Dijk over Rio Ferdinand
Van Dijk is likely the kind of character who will not be too concerned over whether people think he’s the best or not.
The 33-year-old is undoubtedly one of the greatest defenders in Liverpool history and you get the impression that’s enough for him.
Nevertheless, that won’t stop others wading in to debate the topic. And when asked by former Reds captain Jamie Redknapp to pick Van Dijk or Ferdinand, Jones surprisingly plumps for the Liverpool man.
“I think from a modern day centre-half, he’s what you would want. He’s commanding, he’s great on the ball, he’s a threat in both boxes,” says the former England man.
READ MORE: Al Nassr willing to offer two-year contract to Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool rejection
“I think it’s harsh to say he wouldn’t have been as good in that era [against two strikers], he still would have been top.
“I’ve got to go Van Dijk, just because I think what he’s given Liverpool over the last five, six years has been incredible. Okay, he might have had a little bit of a dip in form in the previous four or five months, but I think he’s right up there again now.
“I used to think about the players that we [United] would come up against back when we were fighting for titles and going to the latter stages of competitions,” adds Jones. “And if Liverpool were in the competition as well you’re thinking ‘how are they going to score if Van Dijk’s on the pitch?’ He’s a top player, I can’t deny that and I’ll go Van Dijk [over Ferdinand].”
Van Dijk makes it 200 wins at Liverpool
This is an interesting testimony from Jones given that he played with Ferdinand for two years at United.
During the 2012/13 season the pair played 29 and 28 Premier League games respectively as the Old Trafford club won their last title.
But as he alludes to, Jones also played against Van Dijk and the aura of the Netherlands captain is blatantly obvious.
It is also no coincidence that Tuesday’s win over Girona made Virgil the quickest player in Liverpool history to reach 200 wins for the club.
According to football statistician Michael Reid on X, the centre-back has hit the milestone in just 290 games. That’s 14 quicker than second placed Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Some player. Now, sign him up Liverpool!
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
