Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's captain, is nearing the end of his contract while leading the team in hopes of securing a third Carabao Cup in four years. His performance may solidify Liverpool's first trophy under new management. As he prepares to turn 34, discussions arise regarding his legacy as one of the Premier League's greatest defenders, with former teammate Neil Ruddock humorously suggesting that Van Dijk's skill could have been elevated with his left foot. With a rich history in both Southampton and Liverpool, Van Dijk continues to be a crucial leader on the pitch.
While there's one or two that have been better than him, former Reds centre-back Neil Ruddock mischievously suggests to FourFourTwo. If he'd had my left foot, he'd have been a better player, put it that way!
Van Dijk - still valued at 28million by Transfermarkt - will turn 34 in the summer, by which time he should have clocked up a 300th Premier League start from his ten-year stint with Southampton and then Liverpool.
Centre-half is a position where the more experienced you are, the better you get, he adds. It's not only the way Van Dijk has been playing, but the way he leads, the information he gives to his team-mates.
If Van Dijk can repeat his man of the match performance from last year's final, Liverpool will likely have a first trophy of the Arne Slot era. A second would then be set to follow.
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