Virgil is big, strong and quick. And he knows how to use his physical attributes incredibly well to put himself between the ball and his opponent. But he’s also unbelievably intelligent and has a sense for where the ball is and where it’s going at all times. He’s a lethal defender. Very rarely can you describe a defender as lethal but if you must do so, van Dijk is that defender.
And he's 'lethal' in the good way, he just neutralizes opposing players through positioning, timing and intelligence, he doesn't hurt or injure them. He plays physically but never dirty. If you play against him you will end the game with your shins and ankles intact, although you will have a miserable evening in all other regards.
I totally agree with you, many people mention his speed, strength, etc. but very rarely, do i see people noticing and appreciating his intelligence and understanding of the game, he has all these great abilities, but he would truly not be more than a average too good footballer, if it wasn’t for his intelligence, reading and understanding of the game, which like you said, makes him lethal. As, attackers, specially the fancy wingers, and agile players, need to be smart to a certain extent to throw off and beat their man, but VVD’s intelligence just makes him 10x harder to beat 1 on 1, as he knows the tricks, he knows exactly where you want to go, and where he should lead you, and he’s also patient, he knows it’s not about if, it’s about when.
The way all these world class players come up smiling after he tackles or disposes them while their managers are freaking out tells you just how good he actually is. Game recognizes game.
u are witnessing the greatest CB of all time it is not a single thing he can t do, he s an amazing construction player because he s smart, he never misses a takle, he s calm, composed, good speed, great heading, scores goals, captain, adapted instant at liverpool, what a player!
As a goalkeeper, I love wacthing CB going physical and literally shutting down opponents strikers. For us, nothing is better than a strong defensive line. Van Dijk could be compared to Shaq. Strong body, crazy athletism compared to his size, IQ and domination. Once he shield the ball, not even a tank could steal it.
Id say the best defender Ive seen. An absolute general and legend in defense. Keep up the great work Virgil may you be blessed with many more great years of football. 👏👏👏
I can imagine 2:51 was a very mentally intense moment for him. He had to quickly decide whether he wanted to take the risk of letting Sissoko shoot, so atleast Son can't.
That clip is the perfect example of how much stuff goes through a footballer's brain on the pitch. Son had to keep the line so he wont be offside. Van Dijk had to block the passing line so Sissoko cant pass to Son. And Sissoko was trying to drag some time for more players to run up and support him. Amazing shit
No it wasn't a decision to make, it was to block of the option to let the guy pass but still be able to reach him whenever he wanted to shoot. It's not a decision just a perfect example of what a defender has to do
@@benjournington9940 not anymore vvd has been average thus far amd matip has been the better of the two. Also vvd is not faster then uppermacano,sule,or hernandez
I hope van Dijk can lead Liverpool to the title and number 7. so this is the chance we appreciate the defender for winning ballon d'or. wich he deserved
He uses pace well to get where he needs to be then decides whether to shield, tackle or even play the ball. Unfortunately most défenders dont think this calmly because they already made up their minds what they are gonna do. So when plan à fails, they panic.
That's also because most defenders aren't fast, strong, good on the ball AND intelligent. When you only have one or two of those attributes, you won't be able to use the skill that's most needed for a certain situation let alone a combination of them. Virgil is the complete package.
I don't know how I feel about the shoulder to shoulder rules. I admit its impressive to watch Van Dijk just ruthlessly shove players off the ball, but I know there is nothing more frustrating then being about score, and having some behemoth american football tackle you to the ground using his shoulder and it not be a foul.
Using shoulders/body naturally in range of the ball is fair play, you are fighting for the ball, the stronger more imposing challenger wins. Simple. It's nothing unsportsmanlike or unfair about it. How else are they supposed to defend? He's not trying to snap their legs or body slam them or intentionally shove them with hands, simply using his body and physique to get the attacker off of the ball.
for people saying he plays dirty , in the last 100 matches he has received 7 yellow cards. he is lethal but in a good way he tackles opponents and ruins their momentum but doesn't hurt or injure his opponents
The people who thinks he plays dirty either don't play football.... Or don't understand the concept of momentum... VVD is a master of getting players off-balance
Most people think he fouls opponents because they don’t understand the rules. If you can get yourself equidistant to the ball, you are allowed to use your physical strength as long as you don’t grab with your hands. Saying a big defender can’t use his strength this way is like saying a striker shouldn’t be allowed to use his speed.
@@ZevTallone - 1:17 he basically ran into the opponent with full speed - 4:33 I dont think he touched the ball just the opponents leg, was it called a foul or not Just wondering if you could explain these two examples I gave cause every other clip of this video looked clean. In my opinion they were fouls and im curious why they wouldnt be...
@@ALexpLK 1:17 The ref sees it as VVD running his shoulder into the opponent's shoulder. VVD did not extend his hand out to push. That isn't a foul. If Sterling runs into VVD the same way, I'm sure VVD won't fall over. You can't foul a defender for being too strong any more than you can foul a striker for running too fast. On slow motion it looks like VVD caught some of the opponent's back. Well, everything is moving very fast and it's a contact sport after all. Refs don't typically give such tackles in the penalty box because with ALL things considered, it's too marginal. VVD knows that and he plays the rules dangerously at times. Having said that, if the ref stops the game, looks at VAR and gives the penalty because some of VVD caught the opponent's back instead of the shoulders, I will sulk but not complain too much. 4:33 Clear foul
This guy came from the second team of FC Groningen! Came in first team because one of the central defenders had picked up an injury. Stayed in the first after that moment, got a nice transfer to celtic, then Koeman at Southampton picked him up. Now he is a world class defender at Liverpool! Pretty good career.
a great defender... size, athleticism, good judgement, underrated with the ball etc... but I do also think people are prisoners of the moment when elevating VVD in all time status ahead of the likes of Adams, Campbell, Stam, Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic and Kompany... too soon to make such sweeping statements
Maldini is overhyped, he was a great defender but the number of appearances made him an icon for Ac Milan, van dijk is incredible for a CB like if he was modelled as the perfect CB
You guys seriously can't compare football from Maldini and today's VAR era. Maldini would've got card's and red cards multiple times with the way they tackle and defend. Defenders in this modern VAR are much more clinical and intelligent in tackling and defending. One wrong foot and out of the game. Not saying past Defenders are bad but comparison is unfair. Van Dijk is a perfect modern CB.
@@Luca-ob1db huh? You know just because great defenders in history have gone down with household names doesn't mean the new generation cant surpass them. If you were to put Van Dijk in the same matches as most of the defenders you just named, people wouldn't even notice them. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest defenders in history.
@@johnb4593 who is one of the greatest defenders in history can also be there,yes , but I simply said not to put him above undisputed legends such as Maldini, Nesta, Beckenbauer, ramos, cannavaro ... (not because I say it but just know football) not I have never seen Beckenbauer play a game, I only know his numbers and saw something) but I have seen Maldini, Ramos, Cannavaro play ... players who have shown much more, both on the pitch and with prizes and awards. Maybe he could also get close to Cannavaro, and i don't think, I'm talking about a law anyway since he played for important clubs such as Juventus and for Real Madrid, won 2 Champions, championships in Spain and Italy, played one of the best performances identify of a defender of all time, winner of the world championship and golden ball in 2006, Ramos another champion, Puyol idem, I simply said that saying "best defender of all time, above all" is not suitable, because before them there will be minimal 5 defenders, top. I didn't say he sucks, on the contrary,be the best currently Is not offensive
i love the way Virgil just simply breaks everyone’s momentum…really a clever player too
He mostly just pushes his body into them until they fall.
literally
YEAH! THE GUY IS INCREDIBLE, HE IS EVEN SOMETIMES BETTER THAN FERNANDO HIERRO Y ESO YA ES MUCHO DECIR, MUCHO DECIR !
BLESSINGS Y CHEERS !
DANI
@@electric336 So it's technically fouls?
Maguire >>>
Virgil is big, strong and quick. And he knows how to use his physical attributes incredibly well to put himself between the ball and his opponent. But he’s also unbelievably intelligent and has a sense for where the ball is and where it’s going at all times. He’s a lethal defender. Very rarely can you describe a defender as lethal but if you must do so, van Dijk is that defender.
And he's 'lethal' in the good way, he just neutralizes opposing players through positioning, timing and intelligence, he doesn't hurt or injure them. He plays physically but never dirty. If you play against him you will end the game with your shins and ankles intact, although you will have a miserable evening in all other regards.
@@frankvandorp2059 yes absolutely. I just can’t understand how he makes defending at the highest level look so effortless. It’s incredible
Maguire far better
I totally agree with you, many people mention his speed, strength, etc. but very rarely, do i see people noticing and appreciating his intelligence and understanding of the game, he has all these great abilities, but he would truly not be more than a average too good footballer, if it wasn’t for his intelligence, reading and understanding of the game, which like you said, makes him lethal. As, attackers, specially the fancy wingers, and agile players, need to be smart to a certain extent to throw off and beat their man, but VVD’s intelligence just makes him 10x harder to beat 1 on 1, as he knows the tricks, he knows exactly where you want to go, and where he should lead you, and he’s also patient, he knows it’s not about if, it’s about when.
@@ucokucok3227 I really hope u joking
This guy is 6’4 205 lps with great speed agility and technique one of the best footballers my favorite player
"But can he stop Jovetic on a rainy night in Anfield tho?"
Mee too❤️
Van Dijk's brother has just recovered from an injury because he didn't play as well as he could because he was careful not to get injured again
That’s a ufc Light heavyweight
@@geraldgirigori2827 a first match after months out with injury without playing....im sure you forgot to mention this part
for me this is way way more impressiv then a most goals .. i love his defending
than*
@@aspebb ok mr. teacher get a life
😂😂
Y VINIENDO DESDE ATRAS MUCHAS VECES, INCREDIBLE DUTCH DEFENDER ! INCREDIBLE !!
You are stupid if you are impressed with this 1:24.
The way all these world class players come up smiling after he tackles or disposes them while their managers are freaking out tells you just how good he actually is. Game recognizes game.
You have never played football. To praise a man for this 1:23.
He's like that big brother who would set you up straight in life...and you show alot respect
the pace this guy has is immense considering his height and weight
Usains bolt is 1.95 and 94 kg. Van dijk is 1,93 cm and 92 kg
Tall people with same leg strength as shorter people are generally faster due to bigger stride
@@dank4454 yeah but then stride frequency usually goes down so it’s kinda like short people accelerate faster and taller people have higher top speed
u are witnessing the greatest CB of all time it is not a single thing he can t do, he s an amazing construction player because he s smart, he never misses a takle, he s calm, composed, good speed, great heading, scores goals, captain, adapted instant at liverpool, what a player!
i'm dutch myself. i think hes a great player and am grateful to have him on our national team
Beckenbauer and Ramos: did you forget who I am
@@theodosiusii408 virgil is way better than ramos, ofc ramos' good but van dijk is on another level
@@arhaxgd overall ramos is better, but prime vvd is actual maldini level
Not all time peaked for 3 yrs
0:51 I cant stop replaying the moment when Gabriel Jesus hit Van Dijk and then he slams into the grass like he hit the wall.
LMAO
The beast at defense has returned 😈
Well thats what we hope i hope he will be as good at defending as he was
@@a23346 9 months have passed and he has not disappointed
th-cam.com/video/wfLdcDgU2YI/w-d-xo.html
@@Ibrahim-nf6yh aged well
@@dionmonteiro02 😂😂😂
As a goalkeeper, I love wacthing CB going physical and literally shutting down opponents strikers.
For us, nothing is better than a strong defensive line.
Van Dijk could be compared to Shaq.
Strong body, crazy athletism compared to his size, IQ and domination.
Once he shield the ball, not even a tank could steal it.
💯
Id say the best defender Ive seen. An absolute general and legend in defense. Keep up the great work Virgil may you be blessed with many more great years of football. 👏👏👏
3:06 that Son tackle was something else.
Can’t wait to see him back on the pitch
The wall of liverpool...Amazing player
one of the best defenders. focuses more on the ball than committing a foul against the strikers imo. too good !!!
Not just big and tall
His awareness of treat, pace and technically great..
Lots of big defenders out there but can not using their advantage well
I can imagine 2:51 was a very mentally intense moment for him. He had to quickly decide whether he wanted to take the risk of letting Sissoko shoot, so atleast Son can't.
That clip is the perfect example of how much stuff goes through a footballer's brain on the pitch. Son had to keep the line so he wont be offside. Van Dijk had to block the passing line so Sissoko cant pass to Son. And Sissoko was trying to drag some time for more players to run up and support him. Amazing shit
@@duck1sgood beautiful sport
Yeah,he made him shot from his weak foot which is risky but still managed to do something
No it wasn't a decision to make, it was to block of the option to let the guy pass but still be able to reach him whenever he wanted to shoot. It's not a decision just a perfect example of what a defender has to do
Sometimes blocking off the passing line between two players is a whole defence tactic in itself
My favorite thing is that even the attackers know that Virgil won every duel fair and square
He didn't
@@danielpiper3031 I feel bad for you not having a valid opinion
@@rens7522 4:31 ?
@@rfhsgaming1938 That’s a foul, that doesn’t even count lol
@@rens7522 It was a duel, Van Dijk ended up fouling the guy. Hence, the other guy was correct. Bye.
Never seen a defender like Van Dijk😍He is a beast of a defender and forever Liverpool Legend🔴
3:43 fastest centre back partnership in the world
Upamecano(34.6 kmh),Lucas Hernandez (34.02 kmh)and Sule (35 kmh)
@@FootabllStatusCreator vvd is levels to them and faster u weirdo
@@benjournington9940 not anymore vvd has been average thus far amd matip has been the better of the two. Also vvd is not faster then uppermacano,sule,or hernandez
2:54 is another level!
I hope van Dijk can lead Liverpool to the title and number 7. so this is the chance we appreciate the defender for winning ballon d'or. wich he deserved
Just imagine if Man Utd got him, and we got Harry Mac. 😂
Harry Mac still makes me laugh to this day and I am not even a man UTD fan xD
Maguire? Don't you mean slabhead? We will continue to dominate you guys as long as hes at the back!
@@shanebrennan9874 Well- yeah
I would genuinely cry every week
@@msmjsiajdgdhsjajahgshsjaje8990who do you support bro
When a defender can run down Traore then you know you have someone special.
Liverpool's incredible Dutch boy, plugging every leak in defense.
Just fun to watch how players become baby dolphin when they get tackled in the box 😂
2:50 the way he handle this 1v2 situation was best🔥❤
That was Just a bad shot by sissoko bro
@@ayhanceliktas3288 nope
@Ayhan Celiktas nope..he know sissoko is right footed so he force sissoko use his left foot..simple as that
2:27 he was telling Neymar to roll like he did in the World Cup. Would have won a penalty if he did!
Ahahaha golden comment
😂😂😂
😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
3:58 WOW !
Virgil he is the fastest defender.... Ever
Varane is
@@anonanon2925 joe gomez is faster than both
@@anonanon2925 wtf
@@nixon7776 what
Hector Belirin is faster
Being a goalkeeper is nothing for me
-Allison
0:56 Sterling 😂😂
Nice video, thanks!
This guy is a unstoppable tank the best CB ever in football history
One of Liverpool best ever defenders big up van dyke
He uses pace well to get where he needs to be then decides whether to shield, tackle or even play the ball.
Unfortunately most défenders dont think this calmly because they already made up their minds what they are gonna do.
So when plan à fails, they panic.
That's also because most defenders aren't fast, strong, good on the ball AND intelligent. When you only have one or two of those attributes, you won't be able to use the skill that's most needed for a certain situation let alone a combination of them. Virgil is the complete package.
What an absolute unit!! To come back from such an harsh Injury aswel 😍
That look to kante😂😂 evil
I don't know how I feel about the shoulder to shoulder rules. I admit its impressive to watch Van Dijk just ruthlessly shove players off the ball, but I know there is nothing more frustrating then being about score, and having some behemoth american football tackle you to the ground using his shoulder and it not be a foul.
Using shoulders/body naturally in range of the ball is fair play, you are fighting for the ball, the stronger more imposing challenger wins. Simple. It's nothing unsportsmanlike or unfair about it. How else are they supposed to defend? He's not trying to snap their legs or body slam them or intentionally shove them with hands, simply using his body and physique to get the attacker off of the ball.
"behemoth" love that term. Hahahahaha
Hopes he return back to full strenght 😂
Imagine van ,
And ramos in RCB and LCB respectively in same team
That would be illegal 😲
Plus pepe
And hakimi and davies
@@Art3c_breeze damn
the look and the smile he gave to kante in 0:20 is so funny
The king 👑 has returned to horror every attacker
Best CB I’ve ever seen play and I saw Maldini play live on multiple occasions.
His acceleration over short distances is phenomenal.
Meanwhile Clement lenglet :
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He’s never the same after his injury
agreed!!!! Big time
Virgil is a monster so pleased he has signed a new deal!
Ye he is mental good, one of the best cb ever
What a beast know one can stop him
I like how everyone just cries when they get hit by van dijk
for people saying he plays dirty , in the last 100 matches he has received 7 yellow cards.
he is lethal but in a good way
he tackles opponents and ruins their momentum but doesn't hurt or injure his opponents
The people who thinks he plays dirty either don't play football.... Or don't understand the concept of momentum... VVD is a master of getting players off-balance
@@zjp28 yeah bro
GTA 4 Music In background Nice 😊
He actually using the RULE very carefully
Most people think he fouls opponents because they don’t understand the rules. If you can get yourself equidistant to the ball, you are allowed to use your physical strength as long as you don’t grab with your hands. Saying a big defender can’t use his strength this way is like saying a striker shouldn’t be allowed to use his speed.
@@ZevTallone
- 1:17 he basically ran into the opponent with full speed
- 4:33 I dont think he touched the ball just the opponents leg, was it called a foul or not
Just wondering if you could explain these two examples I gave cause every other clip of this video looked clean. In my opinion they were fouls and im curious why they wouldnt be...
@@ALexpLK 1:17 The ref sees it as VVD running his shoulder into the opponent's shoulder. VVD did not extend his hand out to push. That isn't a foul. If Sterling runs into VVD the same way, I'm sure VVD won't fall over. You can't foul a defender for being too strong any more than you can foul a striker for running too fast. On slow motion it looks like VVD caught some of the opponent's back. Well, everything is moving very fast and it's a contact sport after all. Refs don't typically give such tackles in the penalty box because with ALL things considered, it's too marginal. VVD knows that and he plays the rules dangerously at times. Having said that, if the ref stops the game, looks at VAR and gives the penalty because some of VVD caught the opponent's back instead of the shoulders, I will sulk but not complain too much.
4:33 Clear foul
@@ZevTallone ok thanks a lot for the answer! I definitely learned something new :D
This man was built for this.
This guy came from the second team of FC Groningen! Came in first team because one of the central defenders had picked up an injury. Stayed in the first after that moment, got a nice transfer to celtic, then Koeman at Southampton picked him up. Now he is a world class defender at Liverpool! Pretty good career.
definitely one of the best defenders in the world right now, maybe of his generation in the future. a beast
Van dijk is my favourite player how he defense it just fun to see that
This man really knows how to defend
If he comes back the same Liverpool 100% favourites
Imagine running into VVD and the collision feels like u got wrecked on a rock💀
He’s got ICE in his veins. The look on his face after some of these plays “Just another day at the office.”
VVD + KONATE 🔥
Yeah
VVD + MATIP (if he stays fit) for me
Height matters in every position vvd prooved it
Both him & Gomez before their bad injury was such beasts
He is a monster ❤
dude is 6'4/194cm and fast af
4:29 that dribbling tho 🥶🥶
EA logic be like : let put vvd pace 70
He's outstanding
He is really monster 🔥
That’s very good not being biased or anything because I’m a Liverpool fan
Welcome back boss
Best CB I've ever seen...guy just pockets everyone
1:18 that should be a foul💀
احب كيف انه في معظم الاوقات يصد المهاجمين بعنف لكن من دون ارتكاب فاول
انه الافضل
0:17 and then kante scored a banger
A great defender can mirror the attacker makes it very difficult.
He did a realy clean kneslide to
Hes a giant and world class defender
a great defender... size, athleticism, good judgement, underrated with the ball etc... but I do also think people are prisoners of the moment when elevating VVD in all time status ahead of the likes of Adams, Campbell, Stam, Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic and Kompany... too soon to make such sweeping statements
Stam already said Van Dijk is better than him… People are comparing him to Maldini now.
Maldini is overhyped, he was a great defender but the number of appearances made him an icon for Ac Milan, van dijk is incredible for a CB like if he was modelled as the perfect CB
@@Seekerofhaqq. maldini overhyped ??? Lol kid , what are you smoking ?
@@Seekerofhaqq. Maldini was great . I don't know much about football but I have seen him play a few times . He was a master .
You guys seriously can't compare football from Maldini and today's VAR era. Maldini would've got card's and red cards multiple times with the way they tackle and defend. Defenders in this modern VAR are much more clinical and intelligent in tackling and defending. One wrong foot and out of the game. Not saying past Defenders are bad but comparison is unfair. Van Dijk is a perfect modern CB.
Southampton to Liverpool van dijk best transfer of all time worth every penny 🙌
@@HarryGreenMathematician within a few years he helped Liverpool get a champions league and prem title
@@HarryGreenMathematician yes cos he’s worth it🤣🤣🤣
@@HarryGreenMathematician no Allison which helped us
Greatest defender of all time. He is making defrence on the pitch.
best defender currently, but nothing compared to Maldini, Beckenbauer, Nesta, Cannavaro, Baresi ,Moore, Puyol and maybe even Ramos
@@Luca-ob1db huh? You know just because great defenders in history have gone down with household names doesn't mean the new generation cant surpass them. If you were to put Van Dijk in the same matches as most of the defenders you just named, people wouldn't even notice them. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest defenders in history.
@@johnb4593 who is one of the greatest defenders in history can also be there,yes , but I simply said not to put him above undisputed legends such as Maldini, Nesta, Beckenbauer, ramos, cannavaro ... (not because I say it but just know football) not I have never seen Beckenbauer play a game, I only know his numbers and saw something) but I have seen Maldini, Ramos, Cannavaro play ... players who have shown much more, both on the pitch and with prizes and awards. Maybe he could also get close to Cannavaro, and i don't think, I'm talking about a law anyway since he played for important clubs such as Juventus and for Real Madrid, won 2 Champions, championships in Spain and Italy, played one of the best performances identify of a defender of all time, winner of the world championship and golden ball in 2006, Ramos another champion, Puyol idem, I simply said that saying "best defender of all time, above all" is not suitable, because before them there will be minimal 5 defenders, top. I didn't say he sucks, on the contrary,be the best currently Is not offensive
How the f can anyone get close to Maldini wym?!
@@cermanica2044 Only Baresi , Beckenbauer and Scirea are on level with Maldini .
Best of nowadays
Im from😊 the Nederlands
I love this
that's last slide was magistical
The size difference between Virgil and Kante s hilarious 😂
Van Dijk way of life out here. Stay safe
He is a fuckin unit and he can shift for a big lad but he reads the game well and can play
Calling Everton players famous is a war crime
🤣🤣
He is a beast
The beast 👹👹👹
Best defender of an ere what a unit
wish he played like this with NL again.. kom terug als dit v dijk
van dijk is just one of those players who is hard to get past because he is so big and can body wait you
One of the best defenders of all history in my opinion.
on the last game for liverpool there was another masterpiece by virgil to vardy😎
This guy 6,4 205 lps with great speed agility and technique one of the best footballers my favourite player
He has speed and he is so physical