Virgil van Dijk remains one of the first names on Liverpool’s team sheet, and the skipper will remain key to any success Arne Slot hopes to have in 2025/26.
With the help of our partners at FotMob, we take a look at the data and underline Van Dijk’s continued importance to Liverpool.
Elite availability
Since arriving at Liverpool in January 2018, the Dutchman has featured 319 times from a possible 423 games – with 43.3% of those games missed due to his ACL injury in 2020/21.
Last season alone, Van Dijk played 87.5% of Liverpool’s 56 games – missing only seven matches due to Slot’s desire to rest his key linchpin in early cup fixtures.
He played the most minutes of any Liverpool player last season (5,176) for club and country, just as he did the season prior – showing incredible consistency throughout.
A player’s availability is often considered their most valuable asset, and Van Dijk is in the elite category when it comes to keeping himself fit.
For direct comparison to Liverpool’s current centre-back options, Ibrahima Konate has only played in 57.6% of games since he arrived and Joe Gomez 43.2%.
It underlines not only the significance of Van Dijk’s ability to be constantly available, but the looming need to source a successor who can be relied on week in, week out.
Superior in the air
There is a reason why the opposition tends to try to target whoever partners Van Dijk, and that is partly due to his proficiency in the air.
Combining his 6’4″ frame with his strength and reading of the game, the No. 4’s prowess was responsible for Liverpool’s resurgence and subsequent push for consistent silverware.
The 34-year-old’s statistics from last season’s Premier League tell a clear story of his dominance in the air:
- 72.1% of aerial duels won
- 96.9th percentile for aerial duels won
- 100th percentile for interceptions
For comparison, Ibrahima Konate won 70.8% of his aerial duels, Joe Gomez 69.2% and Jarell Quansah 41.2%, while centre-back target Marc Ghuei won 44.8%.
Not to mention, the Dutchman has won a higher percentage of his duels than any Premier League player to contest 200+ since he joined Liverpool (73.12%) – he’s contested 1,693 in that time.
Not only is his availability unmatched, but so are his capabilities in the air.
The ultimate hybrid
Ultimately, Liverpool boast the ultimate hybrid.
He is a centre-back who is consistently available, one of the best-ever in the air and the enviable modern player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Van Dijk completed 2,679 passes in the Premier League last season, which places him in the 100th percentile of centre-backs, boasting a passing accuracy of 91.7%.
There is a reason his song boasts that he is calm as you like!
As for the opposition box, he is in the 93rd percentile for touches and has scored more Premier League goals than any other defender since his Liverpool debut (25).
Replacing the irreplaceable
With a new contract until 2027, the immediate need for Van Dijk’s successor has lessened but the day will arrive when Liverpool will need to oversee a changing of the guard.
Finding a player who can tick every box as Van Dijk does will be no easy feat, hence his replacement not yet being at the club.
For now, though, one of the greatest centre-backs to grace the game will continue to lead the Reds in their pursuit for more silverware – adding to his collection of eight winners’ medals.
* FotMob is an essential app for every fan to keep up to date with their team or follow football worldwide, endless stats and features offer all you could ever want and never knew you needed!
You can download the FotMob App here.
#Virgil #van #Dijk #remains #irreplaceable #Liverpool #ultimate #hybrid #defender #Liverpool
