Barnes claims ‘future captain’ Van Dijk reminds him of Liverpool legend

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Virgil Van Dijk TEAMtalk

John Barnes believes Virgil van Dijk can be compared to Liverpool legend Alan Hansen.

Van Dijk has been a major success since moving to Anfield from Southampton in January 2018, earning a place in the running for this year’s Ballon D’Or.

And although he has only been at Liverpool for a relatively short time, former Reds winger Barnes had no hesitations over naming him in the same sentence as his former teammate Hansen – one of the club’s greatest ever defenders.

“Virgil van Dijk is similar to Alan Hansen,” Barnes said. “Alan was strong and very good on the ball so that is why he reminds me of him.

“Virgil is probably a little more physical than Alan Hansen but in terms of his calmness, coolness and ability on the ball, he reminds me a lot of Hansen.

 

“Virgil van Dijk is a future Liverpool captain, but I don’t think it will matter in the way they play. [Jordan] Henderson is not playing as regularly as he used to.

“But I don’t think it matters who is captain, the way Liverpool play is down to the manager. Each player on the pitch plays their role, and they are all captains in their own way.”

READ MORE: James Milner says van Dijk gives him “plenty of stick” about being one of Liverpool’s oldest players.

Liverpool Virgil van Dijk John Barnes

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