Premier League 2018/19: 5 Best centre-backs this season

#1 Virgil Van Dijk

Virgil Van Dijk

Finally, the man who might have the most important role to play in Liverpool’s title challenge this time around!

The Dutchman has been supreme for Jurgen Klopp’s men this season and has grown to become an exceptional leader, someone who has shown the path for the team to move ahead whenever they have struck in a tricky, difficult sort of situation.

A major tweak in Liverpool’s gameplay this season has been their slightly excessive use of pragmatism in most of the matches.

Quite a contrast to the last season, Liverpool have mellowed down their attacking approach and yet managed to sneak in victories due to the enigmatic presence of someone like Virgil Van Dijk.

As there has been lesser cohesion in their attacking gameplay this season, Van Dijk’s presence has become even more crucial in the team. In tense matches such as the Merseyside derby and the games against the two Manchester clubs, he has managed to hold the backline together whilst doing his own job to perfection too.

The Dutchman is an excellent presence in the air too, winning 4.7 aerial duels per match this season. He averages 1.1 tackles but clears the ball on 5.3 occasions in each game, which is appreciable.

Moreover, the sense of calmness and composure that he has brought to a famously frantic Liverpool’s backline deserves to be credited.

If Klopp’s team does march on to win the title this time around, the biggest reason of them all would be Virgil Van Dijk’s supreme performances throughout the course of the season.