Virgil van Dijk stays one of many first names on Liverpool’s group sheet, and the skipper will stay key to any success Arne Slot hopes to have in 2025/26.
With the assistance of our companions at FotMobwe check out the information and underline Van Dijk’s continued significance to Liverpool.
Elite availability
Since arriving at Liverpool in January 2018, the Dutchman has featured 319 instances from a potential 423 video games – with 43.3% of these video games missed attributable to his ACL harm in 2020/21.
Final season alone, Van Dijk performed 87.5% of Liverpool’s 56 video games – lacking solely seven matches attributable to Slot’s need to relaxation his key linchpin in early cup fixtures.
He performed probably the most minutes of any Liverpool participant final season (5,176) for membership and nation, simply as he did the season prior – displaying unimaginable consistency all through.
A participant’s availability is usually thought of their most precious asset, and Van Dijk is within the elite class relating to maintaining himself match.
For direct comparability to Liverpool’s present centre-back choices, Ibrahima Konate has solely performed in 57.6% of video games since he arrived and Joe Gomez 43.2%.
It underlines not solely the importance of Van Dijk’s means to be always out there, however the looming must supply a successor who could be relied on week in, week out.
Superior within the air
There’s a motive why the opposition tends to attempt to goal whoever companions Van Dijk, and that’s partly attributable to his proficiency within the air.
Combining his 6’4″ body along with his power and studying of the sport, the No. 4’s prowess was liable for Liverpool’s resurgence and subsequent push for constant silverware.
The 34-year-old’s statistics from final season’s Premier League inform a transparent story of his dominance within the air:
72.1% of aerial duels received
96.ninth percentile for aerial duels received
one hundredth percentile for interceptions
For comparability, Ibrahima Konate received 70.8% of his aerial duels, Joe Gomez 69.2% and Jarell Quansah 41.2%, whereas centre-back goal Marc Ghuei received 44.8%.
To not point out, the Dutchman has received a better share of his duels than any Premier League participant to contest 200+ since he joined Liverpool (73.12%) – he’s contested 1,693 in that point.
Not solely is his availability unmatched, however so are his capabilities within the air.
The final word hybrid
In the end, Liverpool boast the final word hybrid.
He’s a centre-back who’s constantly out there, one of many best-ever within the air and the enviable fashionable participant who’s comfy with the ball at his toes.
Van Dijk accomplished 2,679 passes within the Premier League final season, which locations him within the one hundredth percentile of centre-backs, boasting a passing accuracy of 91.7%.
There’s a motive his tune boasts that he’s calm as you want!
As for the opposition field, he’s within the 93rd percentile for touches and has scored extra Premier League targets than some other defender since his Liverpool debut (25).
Changing the irreplaceable
With a brand new contract till 2027, the fast want for Van Dijk’s successor has lessened however the day will arrive when Liverpool might want to oversee a altering of the guard.
Discovering a participant who can tick each field as Van Dijk does will probably be no straightforward feat, therefore his alternative not but being on the membership.
For now, although, one of many best centre-backs to grace the sport will proceed to guide the Reds of their pursuit for extra silverware – including to his assortment of eight winners’ medals.
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