EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Virgil van Dijk’s huge performances at the back for Liverpool this season have seen the debate rage on over whether the captain is the best Premier League centre-back of all time.
Hal Robson-Kanu has named Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk as the toughest defender he ever faced.
Between 2016 and 2021, Robson-Kanu played 154 games for the Baggies, scoring 24 times as a striker. He came up against some of the all-time greatest Premier League defenders, including John Terry and Vincent Kompany.
But now retired, the 34-year-old ranks Van Dijk ahead of both when it comes to sheer ability. Having played against the Dutchman several times at Southampton and Liverpool, the Welshman recalls him being an unstoppable force of nature in every aspect of his game.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport, Robson Kanu said: “I’d say the toughest defender I ever faced was Virgil van Dijk. [He was] physically, as strong and quick as you. Tactically, he thinks two or three steps ahead.”
When asked to compare the Liverpool captain to legends like Rio Ferdinand, Terry and Kompany, Robson-Kanu doubled down by saying: “These were masters of the game. But pound for pound, Virgil was a tougher opponent. Everything about him.”
He cheekily added: “But I still ended up putting it in the top corner against him so not too bad.”
The Acton-born forward was referring to his winner in West Brom’s 2-1 victory over Southampton back in December 2016. Robson-Kanu had run onto a through-ball closely pursued by Van Dijk, who failed to block his effort as it flew into the top corner from the edge of the box.
There has been plenty of debate in recent years over Van Dijk’s standing among the other centre-back greats following his Premier League and Champions League title-winning seasons in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Van Dijk came second in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2019 behind Lionel Messi, which is considered a monumental feat.
Chelsea legend Terry is a fan of the Reds skipper himself, telling GOAL in an interview that he rates Van Dijk as better than Kompany. But when asked where he ranks himself, the Englishman said: “I’ve seen others do this and put themselves at number one, so I’m going to put myself up there.”
