Video Analysis: Van Dijk’s Impact on Liverpool’s High Line and Pressing Game | OneFootball

Why Liverpool Cannot Afford to Lose Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is irreplaceable. That’s not just opinion; it’s fact. As the Panenka LFC podcast recently outlined in their discussion, the Dutch defender remains the backbone of Liverpool’s system under Arne Slot. Yet, with his contract winding down, uncertainty looms. If the club allows Van Dijk to walk, it would be a mistake of seismic proportions.

Virgil van Dijk: The Defensive Pillar of Arne Slot’s Liverpool

“Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world, end of discussion,” the podcast declares. And it’s hard to argue. Liverpool’s defensive stability and tactical approach under Slot rely heavily on Van Dijk’s presence at the back. The Reds’ game plan has shifted to one based on control, patience, and precision—a far cry from the chaotic, high-energy gegenpressing of the Klopp era.

Liverpool bait opposition presses by recycling possession at the back. “When you compare him to other centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues, big Virgil is simply untouchable in terms of passing stats,” the podcast emphasises. Whether it’s short, medium, or long passes, Van Dijk ranks in the elite percentiles across the board.

The Passing Genius That Keeps Liverpool Ticking

Liverpool’s build-up play is designed around Van Dijk’s passing range and composure. The podcast states: “It might look effortless when you watch him circulate possession, but it’s the little details that set him apart—like passing into space ahead of the receiver or playing to their strong foot.”

His passing stats are remarkable:

– 6.44 passes into the final third per game

– 4.84 progressive passes per game

– 85th percentile for switches of play

That last stat matters. Those signature diagonal passes to the flanks are more than just eye-catching—they’re essential to Liverpool’s attacking patterns. “No matter how much football we’ve watched, we’ve never seen anyone execute those passes as cleanly and consistently as Van Dijk,” the discussion highlights.

More Than Just a Passer: A Defensive Mastermind

Van Dijk’s abilities extend far beyond his composure in possession. His defensive intelligence and positioning allow Liverpool to maintain a high line, compressing opponents into their own half. The podcast compares him to an owl, constantly scanning the pitch: “He’s always aware of everything happening around him, almost like he knows their next move before they even make it.”

Photo: IMAGO

This ability is backed up by numbers:

– 85th percentile for interceptions

– Highest defensive line height in the league at 41.49m

“Van Dijk is out there playing 3D chess while everyone else is stuck on checkers,” they joke, but there’s truth in that. He doesn’t just defend; he dictates games. His composure allows Liverpool to press high, knowing they have a world-class safety net behind them.

The Leadership Void If Van Dijk Leaves

Here’s the real issue: Liverpool’s centre-back depth is alarmingly thin. “We only have four centre-backs, and only one who’s naturally comfortable playing as a left-sided centre-back—Van Dijk himself,” the podcast warns.

If Liverpool let him walk, they’ll be forced into the market for an expensive replacement, and as PanenkaLFC points out: “That’s not rebuilding. That’s self-destruction mode.”

The smarter move? Renew Van Dijk’s contract while grooming a successor. “The next window should be about bringing in a young centre-back who can spend a season learning from Virgil, adapting to the Premier League, and improving under his guidance.” That’s how top clubs plan for the future.

Liverpool Must Act Now

Van Dijk is 33. Eventually, Liverpool will have to find a replacement. But that time is not now. As the podcast concludes: “Based on his performances this season, there’s absolutely no reason why Virgil should be leaving this summer.”

And they’re right. If Liverpool are serious about competing at the highest level under Slot, they must renew Van Dijk’s contract. Anything else would be a catastrophic misjudgment.