Virgil van Dijk is up there with some of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
The Dutch skipper’s move to Liverpool in 2018 instantly revolutionised their defence, which was known to be quite shaky before his arrival.
However, Van Dijk’s presence at the back elevated the Reds to a different stratosphere as a team as well as a club.
The former Southampton colossus’ incredible reading of the game, towering presence and excellent passing range allowed Liverpool to play their breathless brand of football under Jurgen Klopp and win every possible trophy at club level.
However, there are several other top defenders in the English top-flight apart from Van Dijk as well.
Five names at Manchester City spring to mind such as John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol.
Jagielka makes bold claim about John Stones amid Van Dijk praise
Barring Dias, all of the aforementioned defenders can also fill in at full-back at a high level — unlike Van Dijk.
As a result, it would be natural for fans and pundits alike to compare the defensive cohort at the Etihad Stadium to the Liverpool captain.
Phil Jagielka, who almost played two decades of Premier League football has played against the Champions League winner as well as some of Manchester City’s current centre-backs.
Jagielka believes that his former teammate, Stones is the best centre-back in the English top-flight, ranking Van Dijk in second place.
The retired defender told BBC 5 Live Sport: “Probably number one, John Stones. He had a good summer, obviously with the Euros, we’ll see how he does at Man City this year.”
“Secondly, Virgil van Dijk, a lot of people will be really interested to see how he does under a new manager [Arne Slot].”
“There will be a lot of people who are expecting him to probably start playing, probably not as well but I expect him to have another great season.”
The former Sheffield United defender ranked Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guehi and William Saliba in third, fourth and fifth place respectively.
Van Dijk’s teammate at Anfield, Joe Gomez hailed Stones as “unbelievable” as well.
Over the last two seasons, the Stones-Van Dijk comparison is close
Last season, the Reds icon was far more available than the £50 million man —starting 36 league games in comparison to the Englishman, who started 12 due to his injury woes.
Van Dijk had a terrific campaign for Liverpool and it would be fair to claim that based on his superior availability as well as his incredible consistency, he had the better season.
But during Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign the season before, Stones was arguably the most in-form centre-back in the world while the ex-Celtic defender struggled for form.
Liverpool finished in fifth place as Van Dijk perhaps looked more vulnerable than ever while the England international played the best football of his career in his signature hybrid role between either full-back or centre-back and midfield.
As a result, the comparison between the both would not lead to an easy answer.
