Former Liverpool left-back John-Arne Riise had the luxury of starting alongside Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia for the majority of his Anfield tenure.
And the Norwegian has discussed how the brilliant central defenders made his job as a marauding fullback much easier.
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In Virgil van Dijk, he reckons Liverpool have finally found a centre-back capable of filling the shoes of the phenomenal pair who did so well for us under Rafa Benitez.
“Having Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher helped me a lot, as I could go forward knowing that they had my back,” Riise told Liverpool’s offiicial website.
“They were able to see the whole pitch in front of them and if I wasn’t in the correct position – which could happen a lot – they would shout instructions and make me aware.
“Every team should have a leader at the back. Carra and Hyypia were brilliant for that – and I can see Van Dijk doing the same now. I really like what he’s doing.”
We’d suggest Riise is spot on.
Van Dijk cost £75m, making him the most expensive defender in the history of football, but he’s already justifying the mammoth expenditure.
In our past nine games with the 26-year-old starting, we’ve conceded just five goals, two of which were dubiously awarded v Spurs.
The only thing now is for Jurgen Klopp to decide who’ll be van Dijk’s long-term partner, as Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have both been inconsistent in their various auditions.