Virgil van Dijk stays one of many first names on Liverpool’s crew 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 FotMob, we check out the info and underline Van Dijk’s continued significance to Liverpool.
Elite availability
Since arriving at Liverpool in January 2018, the Dutchman has featured 319 occasions from a potential 423 video games – with 43.3% of these video games missed as a consequence of his ACL harm in 2020/21.
Final season alone, Van Dijk performed 87.5% of Liverpool’s 56 video games – lacking solely seven matches as a consequence of Slot’s want to relaxation his key linchpin in early cup fixtures.
He performed essentially 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-about their most precious asset, and Van Dijk is within the elite class in relation to conserving 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 capacity to be consistently obtainable, 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 as a consequence of his proficiency within the air.
Combining his 6’4″ body along with his energy 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 gained
- 96.ninth percentile for aerial duels gained
- one hundredth percentile for interceptions
For comparability, Ibrahima Konate gained 70.8% of his aerial duels, Joe Gomez 69.2% and Jarell Quansah 41.2%, whereas centre-back goal Marc Ghuei gained 44.8%.
To not point out, the Dutchman has gained the next 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 last word hybrid
In the end, Liverpool boast the last word hybrid.
He’s a centre-back who’s constantly obtainable, one of many best-ever within the air and the enviable fashionable participant who’s comfy with the ball at his ft.
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 quick 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 shall be no straightforward feat, therefore his substitute 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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