Former Manchester City and England defender Kyle Walker, who now plays for AC Milan in Serie A, has paid Virgil van Dijk the ultimate compliment having come up against him numerous times in battles with Liverpool.
Walker believes that Van Dijk’s ability to defend without making tackles is rare in the modern game. Discussing Van Dijk on The Kyle Walker podcast, the famous Paolo Maldini line sprang to mind: “If you have to make a tackle, then you’ve already made a mistake.”
Walker said: “I think that’s a fair quote. You can understand that statement that he’s made and I think, who am I to question Maldini’s footballing brain? Because of what he did in football, he is probably one of the greats.
“I understand that he’s probably saying that you’re probably not in the correct position. If you’re making a tackle, you’re probably out of position slightly for you to be lunging in or sliding in. I definitely can understand his quote.”
When asked if there are many modern defenders who have that kind of ability, Walker immediately pointed to Van Dijk. The Liverpool captain has a patient style and often waits and waits before his opponent makes a mistake rather than diving in.
“Very rarely do you see him tackle,” Walker continued. “He backs his speed, he backs his strength, and he backs his knowledge of the game. You don’t see him flying into challenges.
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“He slows people down, waits for cover to come in, and it’s good defending. Defending is not just about tackling and smashing people.
“Sometimes, you have to use your head, and I think, especially in the modern day, you hit your peak as a defender at 30 or 31. You’re still learning your trade up until then.”
Van Dijk, now 33, has recently signed a new two-year extension at Liverpool. The Dutchman has started every Premier League game this season and he will lift the league title trophy following the final game of the season against Crystal Palace on May 25.
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“In my opinion, it is the hardest league in the world,” Van Dijk said in a press conference after Liverpool confirmed the title last weekend against Spurs.
“If you have an opportunity to win it, [on] what was a glorious day in terms of the atmosphere, the weather, a good opponent — it was incredible to be part of.
“The manager touched on it already on the pitch, that we have got two titles in five years, so that’s a big achievement in my opinion.”
Liverpool.com says: Van Dijk remains the best center-back in the world and it isn’t really close at the moment. Signing him up to a new deal was clearly the right thing to do and the next few years should remain exciting with him holding everything together.
