Analysing Anfield: Liverpool's 'demigod' is back and how rival supporters were proved wrong
"Take a walk around my centre half, gentlemen," Bill Shankly once said speaking about one of his newest signings, Ron Yeats. "He's a colossus," said the Scot, who encouraged members of the press to 'walk around him' as a means of emphasising his imposing frame, standing around 6-foot-2.
Liverpool have acquired the services of a number of great central defenders over the decades since Yeats, including the likes of Alan Hansen, Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher to name but a few, but the man who is currently wearing the armband for the Reds might be the best of the lot. If Shankly's famous words apply to one modern player in particular, it is Virgil van Dijk.
He has been described as a 'Rolls Royce' on a countless number of occasions by his peers in the sport, in addition to pundits who are paid to comment on his performances. Indeed, a whole host of players have praised Van Dijk's imperious level since his move to Merseyside in 2018.
Ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney — who had a reputation for bullying his opponents — once said: "I hate going up against him. He’s too big, too strong, too quick, too good on the ball, loves fighting, a good head of hair. One of those guys that sprays on his top as well, so it smells lovely."
Listen to the latest episode of Analysing Anfield with Josh Williams and Mo Stewart HERE
He is on a 'different planet' according to his fellow defensive teammate Ibrahima Konate, with one of his international teammates, Micky van de Ven, suggesting similar. The Tottenham Hotspur defender joined the Premier League in the summer, and ahead of facing Liverpool just a few weeks ago, he said: "I think Virgil was the last couple of years — and this year also — one of the best defenders in the Premier League, for
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