Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge agree on Virgil van Dijk as 'world class' verdict reached

Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge were asked whether Virgil van Dijk had been overtaken as the Premier League's best defender, with neither wanting to write the Liverpool captain off

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty Images)

Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge both believe that Virgil van Dijk is still one of the world’s best defenders, despite Liverpool’s struggles this season.

Van Dijk of course lifted the Premier League title last season, although there appears to be very little chance of him repeating the feat this time around, with the Reds having endured a poor campaign in defense of their crown.

Plenty of questions have been asked about why Liverpool has struggled so much this season, with Arne Slot’s defenders coming under the microscope on more than a few occasions as the Reds have drifted out of contention.

Their problems from set-plays are well documented, with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs having left the club recently amid Liverpool having one of the worst records in Europe.

Slot has taken a more defensive approach recently, which has in part been brought about by a lack of attacking options, although the Reds have continued to struggle to pick up wins. That has led to more questions about Van Dijk and his fellow defenders.

Discussing the Liverpool captain ahead of the Reds’ goalless draw with Arsenal, former United captain Keane was asked whether the Gunners’ Gabriel Magalhaes had overtaken Van Dijk as the Premier League’s best defender.

Roy Keane insisted Virgil van Dijk shouldn't be written off as one of the world's best defenders(Image: Sky Sports/X)

“Maybe so, but I wouldn’t be… Van Dijk’s obviously not reached the standards he’s set because he’s set such high standards, and the whole team’s having a bit of a struggle,” Keane said on Sky Sports.

“You look for him for leadership, but he’s still a brilliant player, and sometimes he probably needs better players around him, but I wouldn’t be too critical of Van Dijk.

“I still think he’s one of the best center-halves in the world. He’s had his moments this season, he’s had his lapses of course, and that can happen, but I certainly wouldn’t be writing him off.

“If he gets an opportunity in the opposition box, you’re on about being strong and aggressive and mobile, hopefully you’ll see that in an attacking sense as well.”

Former Liverpool striker Sturridge, who played alongside Van Dijk, agrees, and believes that the Netherlands international will return to his usual levels soon.

“He’s still a top, top center-half, we know that,” Sturridge said. “He’s a world-class player, and he’s going to continue to be that.

“Of course, collectively as a team, they’ve not been great defensively as we’ve seen in the past, but I don’t doubt he’ll go back to the level he’s been at for years.”