Liverpool legend Phil Thompson and the former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier have expressed their opinion regarding Virgil Van Dijk’s future at Anfield, live on Sky Sports. They both consider the Dutch defender possesses the necessary quality and leadership skills to become new Reds captain.
The highly regarded centre-back arrived at the ranks of Merseyside club from Southampton for a world-record £75 million fee at the beginning of January.
Jurgen Klopp has brought the 26-year-old Dutchman to improve his shaky backline instantly, but the player is going to need some time to adapt to his new club for sure.
However, Thompson is convinced Van Dijk will demonstrate his capabilities once he gets a better sense of who his teammates are.
“Dare I say it, he looks a future captain material,” Thompson told Sky Sports. “The way he plays, with his presence, I’d like to think he could grow into that role in another 12 months.
“He needs to be a better organizer, which will come with experience because you need to have that ability to make sure everybody is organized, even when you’re not having a good game yourself.”
Le Tissier gets along with Thompson, “He has captaincy potential, but there’s also part of him which just switches off when it is a bit too easy, which if he’s going to be a captain he has to eradicate from his game.
“There’s definitely more to come from him. Before his injury, he was right up there with the best centre backs in the Premier League, although Toby Alderweireld is perhaps a fraction better all-round defender because of that consistency.”
Considering the number of goals Liverpool have conceded so far, they will need Van Dijk at his very best already this season, especially in their Champions League duel with Porto.
