Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypiä has left no room for debate on who is the world’s best defender.
Hyypiä, a towering presence at Anfield during his decade-long stay from 1999 to 2009, knows exactly what makes a defender world-class. After joining from Dutch side Willem II, the legendary Finn quickly cemented his place in Liverpool’s defence, forming memorable partnerships with Stéphane Henchoz and Jamie Carragher.
Over 464 appearances for the Reds, Hyypiä scored 35 goals and lifted multiple trophies, including the Champions League in 2005, two FA Cups, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup. Known for his calmness on the ball, aerial dominance, and exceptional reading of the game, he was the blueprint for leadership at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Hyypiä singled out and heaped praise on one defender, calling him the world’s best.
“I think Van Dijk is the best in the world. He is good on the ball, he can pass it long, he can pass it short and then defending he is so quick that nobody goes past him, he is commanding in the box.
He is so big and when he is in his stride, and he jumps, no-one can jump as high as he can. And he is a great leader, he makes everyone around him better as well.”
Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool splashed out £75 million to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018. It wasn’t just the world record fee, but the expectation that the Dutchman could and should transform Liverpool’s backline.
Fast forward to today and it’s clear that van Dijk hasn’t just met those expectations, he has redefined what it means to be a centre-back at Anfield.
Comparisons between Hyypiä and van Dijk are inevitable. Both are technically gifted, comfortable with the ball at their feet, and able to marshal the backline with authority.
Since arriving from Southampton, van Dijk has gone on to enjoy a trophy-laden tenure at Anfield, including captaining the side to their 20th league title last season. In total, the current captain has collected seven major trophies with Liverpool alongside a host of individual accolades, including the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2019.
Van Dijk’s influence on and off the pitch has not only solidified his reputation as one of the world’s best defenders, but also cemented his place among Liverpool’s all-time greats.
From the record-breaking transfer fee that sparked debate in 2018 to becoming the cornerstone of Liverpool’s defence, van Dijk has consistently justified the faith placed in him. As Hyypiä observes, he is a leader, a warrior, and the epitome of what it means to be a world-class centre-back.
