A Dutch defender at Anfield is considered to be one of the world's finest, but Jamie Carragher feels silverware is required to be the very best
Virgil van Dijk is “right in the top group” when it comes to the world’s best defenders, says Jamie Carragher, but the Liverpool star has been told he needs trophies in order to overtake the likes of Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos.
The arrival of a £75 million ($99m) addition at Anfield in January is considered to have helped turn Jurgen Klopp’s side into serious contenders for major silverware.
Liverpool reached the Champions League final last season, before coming unstuck against Madrid, while a Premier League title challenge is being pieced together on the back of an unbeaten start in 2018-19.
Van Dijk has played a key role in making the Reds competitive, but the Netherlands international is still lacking the silverware which marks serial winner Ramos and his World Cup-winning club colleague Raphael Varane out as the very best in the business.
Ex-Liverpool star Carragher told Soccer AM on the battle for global supremacy and Van Dijk’s current standing: “I think he’s right in the top group. Some people may put him top.
“I would just hang fire with that with the fact he hasn’t won the biggest trophies yet. I think you have to do that.
“You want to be known as the best in whatever position, you’ve got to have something on the CV - Premier League, Champions League.
“He got to the final last season. But I think the two players at the other end of the pitch in Ramos and Varane, not so much that they’re better players than Virgil van Dijk, but they’ve won Champions Leagues, both won the World Cup.
“When you’ve got that on the CV, it’s hard to look past.”
Ramos is widely considered to be the finest defender on the planet at present, with the 32-year-old having proved himself with Madrid and Spain over a number of years.
Carragher added on his qualities: “He’s a top player as well I don’t think we should forget that and he’s a major reason why Real Madrid have been so successful.
“There’s no [Cristiano] Ronaldo this year so it will be more difficult for them. But what Ronaldo was at one end of the pitch over the last few years, I think Ramos has been at the other end.”
DevilsUnited
241
Ffs don't compare Ramos and him now. He hasn't even played a single season with big team, he has nothing and you are comparing with best defender of the decade (like him or hate him, he already proved that). You are just giving pressure which might affect his growth. Look at Salah now, too much of pressure is not good for any players. He is good, let him develop and we will see after 1-2 seasons.
Vipacilmnt
156
Van Dijk is to Ramos as Salah is to Messi. Ramos has been at that level for more than a decade, let Van Dijk prove his worth over that period before someone even dares comparing him with Ramos cos not even Thiago Silva compares with Ramos. Ramos is the best centre back for the last 10 years go argue with your ancestors
BabaNla_14
127
20years to this time, he can never near Sergio Ramos. In trophies, in cards in tackle in goals in everything...... Sergio Ramos respects
godykemanutd
67
That is the kind of answer you will always get. please were we expecting him to say Van Dijk is still far from Ramos? of course not, he is Liverpool legend and as such can never say anything negative against Liverpool, ask him Jose Mourinho and Kloop is have been a better coach since coming to English, he will definitely say Kloop, he will then be telling you how well Liverpool is playing forgetting that Jose Mourinho have won more trophies than Kloop. Trophies is not everything, your performance on pitch and over the years will determine you rank. Assencio have won Champions League back to back but you can never come out and say he is better than Hazard. since 2005 Romas have been performing well for RealMadrid and Spain as well, for 13 years Ramos have been on top form. so you can compare Van Dijk of yesterday to him, Ramos is a living Legend. Don't forget, Van Dijk was with Southampton for 3 years and no one really know him, people started talking about him because of Liverpool. Ramos is 32 and Van Dijk is 27 and individual awards Romas have won is enough prove and evidence that Dijk still have a very very long way to go before he can be considered to be in the same class as Ramos