Gary Gillespie: Liverpool FC star is the best I’ve ever seen
Liverpool FC legend Gary Gillespie describes Virgil van Dijk as the best defender he's ever seen
Gary Gillespie has described Virgil van Dijk as the best defender he’s ever seen.
The Netherlands international has been a sensational signing for the Reds since his arrival at Anfield from Southampton in January 2018.
The Dutch defender has established himself as a key man for Jurgen Klopp’s side and he played an important role in helping the Reds to finish second last season and lift the Champions League trophy.
Van Dijk’s performances did not go unnoticed by his peers last season as he was voted as the PFA player of the year following his sparkling displays.
And former Reds star Gillespie, who won three league titles and a European Cup with Liverpool FC in the 1980s, has been hugely impressed by the impact Van Dijk has had at Anfield since his arrival at the club.
Speaking in an interview with Liverpool FC’s website, Gillespie said: “Normally it is the players that catch the eye, the players that score the goals, that dribble and beat people, that create opportunities and I think it speaks volumes that he’s even being talked about as winning the Ballon d’Or, the fact he’s a centre-back.
“For me, he’s the best [defender] I’ve seen, absolutely. He’s right up there, outstanding in every department [and] in one-on-one situations, and that’s so key these days, with the way that modern teams play.
“Sometimes you are left in one-on-one situations and you just need to look at his stats last season: I think they were that not one player dribbled past him. I just think that’s phenomenal.”
Van Dijk will be aiming to help Liverpool FC go one step further in the Premier League this season after they finished in second place in the table and just a point behind champions Manchester City last term.
The Reds managed to end last season on a positive note when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the Champions League final.
