Danny Murphy: van Dijk is ‘Pivotal’ To Liverpool’s Title Challenge

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy had nothing but praise for star center back Virgil van Dijk on Match of the Day Saturday night. Murphy, during his analysis of Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal at the Emirates, proclaimed that the Dutch defender would be ‘pivotal’ to Liverpool’s title challenge against reigning champions Manchester City.

“He’s a phenomenal footballer. He’s turning into a really good leader. Look at this backline. It was pretty much perfect for most of the day.” Murphy said on the show. “Van Dijk was pivotal in that. Leading them, talking to them and he gave a few rockets out today, which is important. You need someone to make sure you’re getting the best out of everyone. It’s his all round game. There doesn’t seem to be a weakness. You get every aspect of what you want from a centre-half. He very rarely gives the ball away. Sometimes he looks like he’s playing in a lower gear.”

“Nobody outruns him. Lacazette and Aubameyang are a real handful. He must be a nightmare to play against. I thought Gomez alongside him was very good as well.” Murphy said of van Dijk’s performance Saturday night. “When Liverpool don’t play as well they can do this, dig in and defend. Get a point when maybe in seasons gone by the didn’t have the tools to do that. But he looks so confident, every penny spent on him was worth it. He looks like the best centre-half in the Premier League at the moment.”

Virgil van Dijk’s performances for the Reds since joining in the January window has been noticed by Reds’ fans, including pundits like Murphy.