There has been plenty of debate this week about the best centre-backs in Premier League history and specifically, who is better out of John Terry and Virgil van Dijk.
A good debate can fill up these empty midweeks as we await the return of Champions League action.
This particular discussion was started by Jermaine Pennant saying Van Dijk is better.
Terry himself took to social media to rebuke the claim, and it got people talking.
Start, bring on, leave on the bench vs Forest… ✅🔄🪑
Which Liverpool gem do you most want to see vs Forest?
One player who has already given his verdict on this is Arsenal star William Saliba. He did so at the start of last season.
William Saliba already gave the edge to Virgil van Dijk over John Terry
The Frenchman was asked to choose between all-time great Premier League centre-backs, and he has a clear favourite.
We know Saliba admires Van Dijk, but did you know he ranks him as the best to do it in England?
Which category does Virgil van Dijk rank in the best centre-backs in football history?
Is he even better than Maldini? 😱
Indeed, he puts Van Dijk not just ahead of Terry, but ahead of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Vincent Kompany and Tony Adams as well.
There is one centre-back Saliba has above the Liverpool captain — Sergio Ramos.
Why the Van Dijk replacement is more important than the Salah one
Neither Van Dijk nor Mo Salah will be at Anfield forever, and the recruitment staff have a job on their hands finding ways to make up for the losses.
But I would argue that the player brought in to replace the Dutchman could be one of Liverpool’s most important signings in years.
It could be that the signing has already been made. Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are two of Europe’s best defensive prospects, but they are still a few years from reaching their peak.
If we’re right in thinking Liverpool are going to sign a centre-back this summer, it could be a future-defining decision.
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