"He could've played with a cigar!" – Jamie Carragher makes emphatic claim about Liverpool star being 'best in his position'

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has asserted that Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in Premier League history following the Reds' 2-0 league win over Manchester City.

Earlier this Sunday (December 1), Van Dijk captained his teamide to their 11th Premier League win of the ongoing 2024-25 season. After Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 12th minute, Mohamed Salah doubled the hosts' lead in the 78th minute of the home contest against Pep Guardiola's outfit.

After the end of the encounter at Anfield, Carragher lavished praise on the Dutchman for his near-perfect display and claimed that the defender made Erling Haaland look like his father. He wrote on X:

"VVD performance today was unbelievable! (I know he made a mistake at the end!) He made Erling Haaland look like Alf-Inge Haaland! The best striker v best CB should be a great battle, but it's so easy for him."

Carragher, who represented Liverpool 737 times as a player, continued:

"He's the best CB we've ever seen in the PL, I know the replies will scream Liverpool bias!!!! Or compare trophies to others but that's all nonsense. I always said it was John Terry before VVD came along & he played for one of my biggest rivals in Chelsea!! Trophies depend on your team or money or timing."

Asserting that there should be no debate about Van Dijk being the best in his position in the Premier League, the Sky Sports pundit added:

"All great defenders of the past had attackers who caused them problems, but who ever causes VVD any?? He's just played against [Kylian] Mbappe & Haaland in the last four days & played them with such ease he could've played with a cigar!!!! Please stop this silly debate about the best CB, it's not even close."

How has the Liverpool captain fared this term?

Virgil van Dijk, who recently lost his partner Ibrahima Konate to a knee injury, produced a fine performance earlier this Sunday. The 33-year-old completed 37 of his 40 passes, won four of his seven overall duels, made seven clearances and three interceptions, and recorded three shots against Manchester City.

The Netherlands captain has scored two goals in 18 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season, helping his side register 11 shutouts.

Van Dijk will next be in action for Liverpool in their Premier League contest against Newcastle United at St. James' Park this Wednesday (December 4).