John Barnes hails ‘best defender in Premier League’ Virgil van Dijk as the main reason why Liverpool are competing with Manchester City

John Barnes hails ‘best defender in Premier League’ Virgil van Dijk as the main reason why Liverpool are competing with Manchester City
Liverpool legend John Barnes has hailed Virgil van Dijk as the main reason the Reds are keeping up with Manchester City, labelling the Dutchman as “the best defender in the Premier League”.Van Dijk has received plenty of praise for his form this season from ex-Reds including Stephane Henchoz and John Arne Riise.2

Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton for 75million in January

The Merseysiders have made a very good start to the Premier League this season and are second in the table with 30 points and have yet to taste defeat so far.Their next game sees them travel to Watford on Saturday, the club Liverpool signed Barnes from in June 1987.And although Liverpool have not been scoring as freely as they did at points last season, Barnes insisted the Anfield club were a much more balanced side this season.Barnes, speaking exclusively for bookmaker comparison platformBonusCodeBets.co.uk, said: “The main difference for Liverpool has been defensively, Virgil Van Djik coming in last year has massively helped the defence. “Aymeric Laporte and John Stones have had great seasons, but for me Virgil Van Dijk is the best defender in the Premier League.“Hes the reason why Liverpool are keeping up with Manchester City this season.“The keeper [Alisson Becker] coming in has given everyone a real confidence boost.“Its been interesting to see the fans being more reassured and measured with this keeper, last season people would hold their breath at corners. But there is a confidence this year.”2

Barnes also praised goalkeeper Alisson’s impact at the club

“Theres a better balance to the team than last season. Yes, theyre not steamrolling teams in the same way, but theyre winning games 1-0 and thats down to the defensive signings they made in the summer.”John Barnes wasspeaking exclusively for bookmaker comparison platformBonusCodeBets.co.uk

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