'Virgil is the king pin,' says former Liverpool defender
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Former Liverpool captain Mark Wright speaks to Adam Bate about the impact of Virgil van Dijk at Anfield and shares his memories of life at the club - including that Spice Boys reputation that stuck in the 1990s.
Virgil van Dijk has been routinely compared to Liverpool legends Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson given his calmness and control in possession but perhaps it would make more sense to liken the Dutch defender to another former Anfield favourite.
Mark Wright was 27, the same age as Van Dijk is now, when he became the most expensive defender in English history in the summer of 1991.
"You can talk about his ability in possession and, yes, he can head the ball, he is quick and he can do all the other bits and pieces as well," Wright tells Sky Sports. "But you don't come to Liverpool unless you can do those things. The biggest thing that has impressed me is what I see from him when the ball is at the other end of the pitch.
"He dictates. He makes sure people fill those pockets where previously Liverpool were being hurt on the counter-attack. He makes sure others are aware.
It's that organisation of others that has made the biggest difference because there aren't a lot of leaders around but he can do that. Nobody is going to argue with him because Virgil is the king pin.
"I see him as the key to Liverpool's success. He is an exceptional player and I really cannot believe it wasn't more of a battle to get him because there is a dearth of top centre-halves around. Look around. Name the top five in the Premier League and I think you would struggle to come up with five. Virgil stands out like a sore thumb, to be honest with you."
Former Liverpool captain Mark Wright speaks to Adam Bate about the impact of Virgil van Dijk at Anfield and shares his memories of life at the club - including that Spice Boys reputation that stuck in the 1990s.
Virgil van Dijk has been routinely compared to Liverpool legends Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson given his calmness and control in possession but perhaps it would make more sense to liken the Dutch defender to another former Anfield favourite.
Mark Wright was 27, the same age as Van Dijk is now, when he became the most expensive defender in English history in the summer of 1991.
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"You can talk about his ability in possession and, yes, he can head the ball, he is quick and he can do all the other bits and pieces as well," Wright tells Sky Sports. "But you don't come to Liverpool unless you can do those things. The biggest thing that has impressed me is what I see from him when the ball is at the other end of the pitch.
"He dictates. He makes sure people fill those pockets where previously Liverpool were being hurt on the counter-attack. He makes sure others are aware.
It's that organisation of others that has made the biggest difference because there aren't a lot of leaders around but he can do that. Nobody is going to argue with him because Virgil is the king pin.
"I see him as the key to Liverpool's success. He is an exceptional player and I really cannot believe it wasn't more of a battle to get him because there is a dearth of top centre-halves around. Look around. Name the top five in the Premier League and I think you would struggle to come up with five. Virgil stands out like a sore thumb, to be honest with you."
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