Liverpool FC news: Van Dijk is best Anfield defender since Hansen, Souness explains
Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool’s best defender since Alan Hansen, former Anfield captain Graeme Souness believes.
According to Souness, though, the £75million January signing is even better in the air than his former team-mate.
“He’s never extended, never seems to be running flat out in a race with somebody, never seems to be using all his strength when nudging somebody off the ball and never seems to be under pressure when making passes,” Souness wrote in .
“He always plays within himself, which is a great sign. He has always got another yard or gear to find, and that’s why he reminds me of Alan.”
Hansen was known for his elegant play and, in 620 appearances for Liverpool between 1977 and 1991, he won eight league titles and three European Cups.
Liverpool’s defensive woes have been well documented this season and Souness believes Van Dijk, who joined from Southampton, will make them more solid.
“I believed he would come down from Celtic [in 2015] and would be too casual and get caught out in England, but he’s made it look easy, the same way he did in Scotland. That’s a mark of how good he is.”
However, considering reports claiming injury has ruled him out of the game against Manchester City, Liverpool may have to wait to see the 26-year-old make his Premier League debut.