Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has not always had an easy time of things at Goodison Park. But with the Reds now seven points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League title race, this midweek’s fiery clash won’t go down as the worst, even though amid the chaos at the end, it might have felt gut-wrenching.
Fans of Liverpool all over the world will hope that while next season’s Merseyside derby at Everton will have a different venue, this being the last at Goodison, their team won’t have a new captain too. Van Dijk’s future, amid the wait for news on a new contract, is still in the balance.
“I hope he will sign,” former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel tells Liverpool.com. “For me, he is still one of the best center-backs in the world. He is playing a fantastic season and he is so important for this team. He is an absolute leader. Virgil van Dijk in this form can play easily two or three more years for Liverpool because he is outstanding.
“He is the best [defender of his generation]. He comes from a very bad injury and he is playing unbelievable. He is not doing mistakes; he is always in the right position; he gives the other players around him a good feeling.
“Even if he is not in the best form — maybe some games — he gives the players around him a good feeling. This is what great players are doing and he is one of the best. For me, he is maybe the best in the world. He was one of the best signings ever. They spent a lot of money on him from Southampton but Liverpool did everything right.
“Jonathan Tah is a free transfer next year so if he will go, as Liverpool I would try to get him. He is a strong fella — a similar player to Virgil van Dijk. But I still think Van Dijk will stay in Liverpool because it is the best club in the world.
“I don’t see him somewhere. Where do you want to go? Saudi Arabia? No! He can’t do it! He earns enough money. He is in the best place so stay there.”
Van Dijk led the side in the chaotic 2-2 draw with Everton and the man alongside him, Ibrahima Konate, had to stand up and be counted too. The Frenchman has been more consistent in terms of fitness so far this season and his form on the pitch has been solid as a result.
“Konate is playing so fantastic because he is playing next to Van Dijk,” Babbel continues. “In my eyes, he is not a leader type — he is doing his job alongside a strong center-back.
“He is doing fantastic. He is a bit underrated and even in Leipzig, you could see it: he is fast, technically good, strong. You can see he was a good signing for Liverpool — the only problem was he had a lot of injuries.
“This is not easy for players to perform at your best level after injury. You need time but now he looks stronger and he is not so often injured. You see the quality of him and these two guys together, one of the best center-back [partnerships] in the world.”
Losing to Plymouth and then drawing with Everton, Liverpool has not won since hammering Spurs to reach the Carabao Cup final. But being out of the FA Cup, Babbel says, is not necessarily the worst thing in the bigger picture.
“It is unbelievably hard [to win all four trophies],” he adds. “If you have the chance to always play with your best team, it is possible, but you have so many games, and it costs so much energy, you have to bring fresh legs in. For the new players, it is not so easy because maybe you were not playing for three or four games and then you come in.
“They have a massive chance to win a massive trophy in the league or the Champions League. It is possible to win four trophies but you need a nearly perfect season. That is very, very difficult, especially in England. You have so many top teams.
“In Germany, it is maybe a bit easier because there are not so many top teams there. Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Tottenham… you have so many top teams there. But still, three trophies are possible.”