Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has suggested that Virgil van Dijk doesn't always receive the 'limelight' he deserves for his high-quality performances.
Doubts were cast over how the Liverpool defender would perform this season on the back of a lengthy ACL injury, which saw the Dutchman sidelined for the near entirety of the 2020/21 season.
Van Dijk has shutdown such fears since making his return this term, however, and has looked back to best when performing alongside Joel Matip in recent weeks.
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The 30-year-old has been at the heart of a defensive unit that has conceded only two goals in their previous seven outings in all competitions, with Cardiff City and Crystal Palace the only sides to breach the Reds' backline during this one-month period.
Such has been the impact of the former Southampton defender of late, Keown has named Van Dijk as the best central defender in the top-flight and is of the view that he continues to go under the radar at times despite his undoubted brilliance.
"I think that Van Dijk is the one that stands out because of his pace and his passing is ridiculous at times," said Keown on the Seaman Says Podcast when discussing why the Reds' No.4 is in a league of his own.
He added: "He plays on the left, but you never see him in trouble on his left foot, he brings it onto his right and pings those balls; he’s quick one vs one, his pace is good and, sometimes, I think he doesn’t get the limelight.
"If I was playing alongside him, I’d think he doesn’t know when to hold, when to squeeze and when to drop off. Sometimes he’s detached from the rest of the group, but nine times out of ten, he’s the best defender in the Premier League. He’s a Rolls Royce, he just purrs across the ground."
