Jamie Carragher compares Virgil van Dijk with Tony Adams

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has compared Virgil van Dijk with former Arsenal superstar Tony Adams based on the defender’s ability to make the players tick around him. The Netherlands international only joined the Reds from Southampton during the previous winter transfer window but he has since proved a huge hit while cementing his position at the heart of the club’s defence.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher hailed the qualities of the Netherlands international and suggested that the centre-back has the aura to make the players around him perform better. He added to praise the Dutchman’s goalscoring potential after scoring the Reds’ second goal with his foot during the 2-0 triumph at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He said:““He makes other people play better around him. Tony Adams made the rest of that Arsenal back four better“. He does the same. He scored a great goal for Holland a few weeks ago. His goal record isn’t great considering his size but the type of “goal he got there“, how many centre backs would put that over the bar?”

Liverpool surprised the footballing fraternity during the 2018 winter transfer window after they spent a £75m sum on Van Dijk which broke the all-time defender transfer record. Since then, they have significantly improved on their performances at the back and this has helped transform them into genuine contenders for the Premier League crown this term.

At present, the Reds are four points ahead of Manchester City after 18 games into the season and Jurgen Klopp’s side have the chance to further extend the gap against the Citizens should they beat them on the road at the start of 2019. In this case, Jurgen Klopp’s side would undoubtedly emerge as favourites to secure their maiden title since the beginning of the Premier League era. Prior to that game, however, the Reds have home matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal.