Worrying Virgil Van Dijk Stat Suggests He Isn't The Best Defender In The World

In a stat he won't want to be reminded of, no outfield player has made more errors in the Premier League since the start of the 2018/19 season than Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is widely deemed to have been the best defender in the top flight - and arguably the world - for the past two seasons but has made some key errors.

His lackadaisical clearance that allowed striker Patrick Bamford to make it 2-2 in the thrilling 4-3 win over Leeds United last night was his third error leading to a goal in the last three campaigns.

While he's been incredibly consistent and successful since moving to Anfield from Southampton for £75 million, a world record fee for a defender at the time, it follows up costly mistakes against Fulham and Arsenal.

The fact that former Celtic man Van Dijk is in the company of David Luiz and Danny Rose when it comes to goals leading to errors from clubs in the 'big six' is especially worrying.

Van Dijk, who also scored as Liverpool edged past newly-promoted Leeds in a pulsating affair, reflected on his blunder.

"Nobody wants to concede goals," he told Sky Sports post-match.

"[The Bamford goal] was one of those. It's a situation that can happen. I tried to do my best but unfortunately a goal came out of it. I don't worry about it."

Van Dijk was branded "arrogant" for his latest display by former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who claims the Netherlands skipper isn't in the same bracket as Vincent Kompany, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand just yet.

"Van Dijk is a great defender, and he will be one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game," Agbonhalor told talkSPORT.

"But when people start putting him in the Vincent Kompany and Rio Ferdinand bracket...

"I think people forget how good certain players were as time goes by. People forget how good Rio Ferdinand was in his prime; you wouldn't even want to go on the same side of the pitch as him!

"It was the same with Kompany, and John Terry as well; you just wouldn't want to take them on as you'd have no chance.

"Virgil van Dijk is an amazing defender, but you can't put him in that category of Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany yet."

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, LFC, Virgil Van Dijk

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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