Liverpool struck gold on “world-class” star

Who’s the best participant in Liverpool’s fashionable historical past? Definitely, if we’re speaking about post-millenial brilliance, Steven Gerrard sits on the high of the tree.

Gerrard could be the best participant within the Merseysiders’ historical past anyway, totally unimaginable and synonymous with town’s beating crimson coronary heart.

Nevertheless, we’re Liverpool’s resurgence over the previous decade, right here, when Jurgen Klopp saved a crew from drowning and turned it again towards the sunshine.

So many superstars have graced Anfield’s pitch for the reason that former German supervisor was appointed as Brendan Rodgers’ successor, however it’s arduous to argue in opposition to Virgil van Dijk being the cream of the crop.

Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool’s hero

When Liverpool paid Premier League rivals Southampton a £75m sum to take their prized centre-back in January 2018, many opposing followers chuckled at such an obscene determine for a defender.

Nevertheless it’s tough to say that Liverpool and their Dutch skipper have not had the final chuckle, with Van Dijk remodeling the Reds’ shaky backline and main them to glory, successful all the largest honours, coming inside a whisker of Lionel Messi on the Ballon d’Or podium in his prime and immortalising his identify because the chief of Liverpool of their most interesting interval in fashionable instances.

The 33-year-old is not a shiny new voice within the Premier League however he is nonetheless matchless in defence, so vital this season as Arne Slot’s aspect stunned everybody and assumed a commanding lead on the high of the desk – 11 factors clear with seven video games to go.

And he is not finished but. Van Dijk has accomplished 313 appearances for Liverpool and received the complete gamut, and although his profitable contract is into its eleventh hour, he is not too long ago allayed followers’ considerations by confirming that talks are ongoing relating to a renewal.

This shall be essential for the Anfield aspect because it steers into the second 12 months of Slot’s challenge, giving the Netherlands icon one other 12 months (or two) to drive the stake of his legacy even deeper into the wealthy Liverpool soil.

To be truthful, you’d should say that Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s finest signing in a protracted, very long time. The Egyptian joined the membership from AS Roma for simply £34m and has gone on to say legendary standing.

Nevertheless, his arrival preceded the skipper’s. He was adopted from the Serie A by one other although, and it’s he who stands proud as Liverpool’s standout signing.

Liverpool’s finest signing after Van Dijk

You have in all probability already guessed who it’s. Whereas Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and co have reshaped Liverpool’s midfield and charged the membership’s cost towards the Premier League title this season, it isn’t them.

Whereas Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz and and Cody Gakpo have been instrumental in Liverpool’s success in recent times, it is Alisson Becker between the sticks who has been the life-juice since arriving within the early knockings of Klopp’s still-standing (even when he is gone) dynasty.

Liverpool paid a world-record £67m charge – for a goalkeeper – to safe Alisson’s signature, however it nonetheless looks like one thing of a discount. Fairly merely, the Brazil worldwide’s positional rivals all pale compared.

Slot has been very happy to chip in about his keeper’s calibre, hailing his “world-class” saves. He is the very best of the very best, along with his gorgeous show on the Parc des Princes in February the right illustration of his lofty expertise.

Making 9 gorgeous saves and stopping an xG whole of two.26 objectives, as per Sofascore, the South American known as it “the efficiency of my life” as Liverpool in some way survived a ceaseless onslaught and emerged victorious – they misplaced the return leg, in fact, however Alisson nonetheless put in a very good shift.

First-leg match-winner, Harvey Elliott, additionally known as his towering teammate “the very best on the earth” – and it is a truthful declare certainly.

It isn’t simply this season that the 32-year-old’s been in nice fettle, as you absolutely know. Again in Could 2023, Klopp declared that his shot-stopping star had been the membership’s “most constant participant” via a testing 12 months.

Actually, accidents apart, Alisson is never within the firing line for poor performances, along with his management, command and shot-saving prowess all converging to current a participant who is really the entire bundle.

The truth that Alisson, who arrived at Liverpool means again when, stays Liverpool’s finest signing since Van Dijk was introduced into Klopp’s squad six months earlier makes a telling touch upon the problems behind recruitment over latest years.

It additionally particulars a fairly agency evaluation relating to the Reds’ completely staggering longevity, not likely making the sweeping modifications of their divisional rivals over the previous eight years or so.

Liverpool have finished nicely to prudently tie Giorgi Mamardashvili down, however whether or not he’ll attain the identical unimaginable heights because the Brazilian is one other query totally.

The Georgian keeper is ready to affix from Valencia this summer time in a deal price £29m, however the 24-year-old is bound to spend a while serving as Alisson’s understudy, changing Caoimhin Kelleher because the in a position deputy leaves seeking a first-choice spot.

Alisson’s place is at Anfield for the foreseeable, however he is about to enter the penultimate 12 months of his contract and will depart for a switch charge in a single 12 months’s time or possibly see his £150k-per-week deal out to its finish.

In any case, the 6 foot 4 sensation is certainly one of Liverpool’s most interesting fashionable gamers, so vital, so influential, over time. There is a agency case to be made that each one who’ve walked via the gates since have did not outstrip him.