Afghanistan
Africa (CAF)
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Belgium-Netherlands
Bolivia
Bosnia And Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Canada
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Chile
China
Chinese Taipei
Colombia
Congo DR
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
England
Estonia
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Friendly Games
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Guatemala
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
International Tournaments
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
National
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
North & Central America (Concacaf)
North Macedonia
Northern Ireland
Norway
Olympic Games
Oman
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic Of Ireland
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Scandinavia
Scotland
Serbia
Serbia And Montenegro
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South America (Conmebol)
South American Games
South Korea
Southeast Asian Games
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
UAE
USA
Uganda
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wales
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Van Dijk 'far better than Vidic' says Carragher in response to Liverpool star's critics

talksport.com, 10 April 2023, 11:41
Jamie Carragher has leaped to the defence of Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, insisting he is 'far better than Nemanja Vidic'.

The 31-year-old has come under increasing scrutiny this season, and was under-fire again for his performance in Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.

Advertisement

Van Dijk was at fault for the Gunners' first goal, as he attempted to clear the ball away.

Instead, the Netherlands international played it into the path of Gabriel Martinelli, who then toe poked the ball beyond Alisson Becker.

Advertisement

His display certainly got fans and social media channels questioning his performance levels.

Many referenced previous comparisons with Chelsea legend John Terry, Man City's Vincent Kompany, and Manchester United icons Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

And that prompted Carragher to take to Twitter, claiming Van Dijk remains the 'best centre-back in the league'.

Carragher wrote on social media: "VVD is far better than Vidic, who was a top centre-back - have you forgot his performances against Torres?"

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Reds' one-club legend was speaking in relation to Vidic's performance against Fernando Torres, when Liverpool ran riot at Old Trafford winning 4-1 in March 2009.

Carragher added: "Rio and JT had poor seasons in their career like all players, VVD is having one now. No centre-back in the Premier League era has ever had VVD's impact on a team.

"Never mind the best centre-back in the league, he's been the best player in the league along with Kevin de Bruyne for four years before this one.

Advertisement

"We have never spoken about about other centre-backs's being the best player before, that shows the level he was at."

Van Dijk has arguably been the best defender in the world over the past few years but, like his Liverpool teammates, his drop off and performance levels have been questioned.

Liverpool, who are eighth in the Premier League, head to Elland Road next weekend to face Leeds as they look to end a forgettable campaign on a positive note and attempt to rescue their Champions League bid.

Read full version: https://talksport.com/football/1389749/liverpool-virgil-van-dijk-far-better-nemanja-vidic-jamie-carragher-man-utd/
  • Alisson
  • Alisson Becker
  • Arsenal
  • Carragher
  • Chelsea
  • Gabriel
  • Gabriel Martinelli
  • Inter
  • Jamie Carragher
  • John
  • John Terry
  • Kompany
  • Liverpool
  • Man City
  • Manchester United
  • Martinelli
  • Neman
  • Nemanja Vidic
  • Netherlands
  • Performance
  • Play
  • Premier League
  • Rio Ferdinand
  • The Path
  • Vincent Kompany
  • Virgil van Dijk

Top News

14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola has asked Manchester City to sign two defenders in 2025, according to a report. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Nassr centre-back Aymeric Laporte has said that he is open to making the move to Real Madrid. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona sporting director Deco has said that his club are not planning to be active during the January transfer window. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Moldova can boost their hopes of securing promotion from League D Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League when they face fellow European minnows Andorra at Estadi Nacional on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Montenegro welcome Iceland to Stadion Kraj Bistrice in Niksic for their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women will be looking to secure derby bragging rights when they face off in Saturday's Women's Super League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nacho has ruled out the possibility of returning to Real Madrid amid suggestions that Los Blancos were considering making an attempt to re-sign him during the January transfer window. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams with contrasting objectives in the National League are set to meet at the Gateshead International Stadium on Saturday, as promotion hopefuls Gateshead host relegation-threatened Aldershot Town. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim will reportedly take Manchester United training for the first time on Monday, with the club confident that his visa will have arrived in time for him to officially get on the grass next week. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has said that a back issue forced Lisandro Martinez to pull out of the squad for the national team's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualification matches with Paraguay and Peru. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly set his sights on an exit from the club next summer, and plans to take key man Alex Grimaldo with him. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together at the top of League C Group 1 with two games to play, Sweden and Slovakia will battle it out to take the outright lead when they meet on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal will reportedly allow out-of-favour defender Jakub Kiwior to leave the club on loan in January. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wales travel to the Kadir Has Stadium in Kayseri to face Turkey in their penultimate League B Group 4 fixture in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday evening. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre has not ruled out the possibility of leaving the club in January, after seeing his game time reduced recently. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to narrow their gap to the top two in the League One table with a third consecutive victory, Barnsley will visit the Abbey Stadium to take on Cambridge United on Saturday. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Isak has delivered a fresh update on his future at Newcastle United, amid reported interest from a number of clubs including Arsenal. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United Women will attempt to claim back-to-back victories when they travel to the Broadfield Stadium for Saturday's Women's Super League meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion Women. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Roma have confirmed the appointment of 73-year-old Claudio Ranieri as their new first-team manager until the end of the season. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has revealed that he was "desperate" to join Chelsea in 2022. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal could rival Manchester City and Liverpool for the signature of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly weighing up whether to make a move for in-form PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk As exquisite as Pedro Neto's equaliser was, the Portuguese's 20-yard leveller for Chelsea in Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal was arguably more to do with the Gunners' uncharacteristic defensive failings. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly made a decision over whether they will pursue a move for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Estevao Willian has revealed that he will continue with his education even after completing a big-money transfer to Chelsea. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly going to give Real Sociedad "a long and hard winter" in their pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Embroiled in a fight against relegation to the UEFA Nations League's lowest level, Azerbaijan and Estonia will clash in Qabala on Saturday afternoon. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane has reportedly emerged as a late doubt for Thursday's UEFA Nations League meeting with Greece due to a knock. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is expected to be given the all-clear for Saturday's all-important UEFA Nations League clash with Hungary in Amsterdam. 14 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Locked together on five points in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands and Hungary meet on Saturday in a winner-takes-all clash at the Johan Cruyff Arena.