Jamie Carragher labels Liverpool star as ‘one of the greats’ after Atletico Madrid win | OneFootball

Carragher Puts Van Dijk Among Liverpool’s All-Time Greats

Liverpool supporters have grown accustomed to seeing Virgil van Dijk dominate both boxes, but the latest praise from Jamie Carragher will only elevate the Dutchman’s status further. Speaking during CBS Sport coverage, the former defender placed van Dijk alongside some of the most revered figures in the club’s history.

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Carragher’s Bold Verdict on Van Dijk

“I don’t like describing Van Dijk as a centre back, as in like, oh, he’s the best centre back or it’s him or it’s him,” Carragher said, making clear that the conversation needs to move beyond simple positional comparisons.

“At Liverpool, a lot of people get called legends because they’ve won the league or they’ve won a Champions League…

“But if you want to differentiate between the, I’d call them giants of the club, and I’m talking like Stevie, Kenny Dalglish, Souness, Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Mo Salah [Van Dijk is there] without a doubt.

“He’s right in the middle of that.”

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These words carry significant weight. Carragher’s verdict moves van Dijk from being merely one of the finest defenders of his generation to being counted among Liverpool’s greats.

Van Dijk’s Influence on Liverpool’s Modern Era

Van Dijk’s impact stretches well beyond his defensive duties. His commanding header against Atletico Madrid, which sparked heated scenes from Diego Simeone on the touchline, underlined his ability to deliver in crucial moments.

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More than that, his leadership sets the tone for Arne Slot’s side. Whether it is his aerial dominance, calm distribution, or the way he addresses supporters in matchday programme notes, he has become the defining figure of this Liverpool team.

Foundation for Future Greatness

The stability van Dijk provides allows new signings such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to settle quickly, while veterans like Mo Salah continue to thrive. Carragher’s praise reflects what many at Anfield already believe: van Dijk has transcended the role of centre back and now stands among the club’s true greats.