Liverpool are two points off the top of the Premier League but Jamie Carragher believes this summer’s signings could have a similar impact on Virgil van Dijk.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested in a recent article in The Telegraph that signing Declan Rice for Arsenal could have a transformative impact on the team, just like Virgil van Dijk did for Liverpool.
Carragher recalled how weak Liverpool’s defense was before Van Dijk joined the team in January 2018. But the Dutchman quickly turned things around and brought much-needed stability to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Van Dijk’s first full season at Liverpool is remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in Premier League history. His impressive performance saw him finish second in the Ballon d’Or standings, just seven points behind the best player of this generation, Lionel Messi.
2019 Champions League winner Van Dijk has made a brilliant comeback despite missing the 2020/21 season with a serious injury. I think I have regained my best form this season.
Carragher sees potential parallels between Van Dijk’s visit and Rice’s future at Arsenal. He believes Rice can transform Arsenal from title contenders to champions.
Carragher wrote in his column: “Watching Rice reminds me of when I joined the Liverpool academy. We were always told to pass quickly and put the ball at the feet of our teammates. And Rice does just that.
He blows it with his teammates. It sets the tone for everything else.”He predicted that Rice would captain Arsenal in the same way Steven Gerrard did at Liverpool.
Carragher believes that just as everyone at Liverpool knew Gerrard would one day become captain, it seems inevitable for Rice at Arsenal – and perhaps even in England.
Carragher believes the move from Arsenal to Rice was a wise decision and predicts Rice will be celebrated as an Arsenal legend within seven to eight years.
He also suggested that Rice’s $132m fee looks like a long-term deal, while the $94m (£75m/€88m) fee Van Dijk’s looks like a bargain at the moment. His success at Anfield is believed to have factored in.
In terms of the Premier League title race, both Rice and Van Dijk have a chance to win the title this season, with Arsenal and Liverpool currently occupying the top two spots.
The match between the two sides at Anfield on December 23 could be a decisive moment in deciding the winner.
According to Liverpool.com, it’s hard to argue that Rice is making a big impact at Arsenal. And his latest goal at Luton looks like it could be the biggest moment of the season, even at this early stage. But Van Dijk wasn’t the only player to transform Liverpool.
The Reds also had to bring in a new goalkeeper, and in Alisson they got the best deal in the business. The Gunners may not be done yet as Arsenal are still away from David Raya and still have issues.
