Maybe essentially the most spectacular side of Liverpool‘s revival underneath Andoni Iraola has been the rejuvenation of gamers who had fallen by the wayside final season.
Alexander Isak, for instance, has scored six targets from seven video games within the Premier League, whereas Alexis Mac Allister seems like a person reborn in midfield, much more sturdy and assured in his position as midfield linchpin.
The adjustments have been delicate, however Liverpool are resurgent, rising as challengers for Arsenal’s league title whereas gearing as much as problem for trophies elsewhere.
They want all of it to return collectively, however with Virgil van Dijk again to his monstrous greatest, there’s each purpose to be optimistic about Liverpool’s title-winning possibilities.
Why Liverpool ought to prolong Van Dijk’s contract
Age is only a quantity, and Van Dijk is personifying this on the coronary heart of Iraola’s Liverpool backline this season. The 35-year-old has lengthy been a “man mountain” on the again, as not too long ago remarked by pundit Jamie Carragher, however he appears resurgent this yr, again to his greatest in age-belying trend.
Within the Premier League this season, the Netherlands skipper hasn’t missed a minute, so composed and cultured in entrance of Alisson Becker’s purpose. Like a high-quality wine, he has ripened with age.
Nonetheless, the legendary centre-half’s future on Merseyside hangs over him like a brooding cloud. Van Dijk is out of contract on the finish of the season, and on condition that he is not getting any youthful, it is possible that FSG will resolve to let him go.
Van Dijk, in any case, takes house round £350k per week, and whereas there’s something romantic about extending his contract, set to run out subsequent summer season, the decision-makers will probably be conscious about what occurred with Mohamed Salah final season.
Van Dijk is irreplaceable, however Liverpool should strive. Because the all-commanding captain at Anfield, he has overseen quite a few title-winning successes. Who to step up and put on the armband?
Dominik Szoboszlai is the apparent selection, promoted to vice-captain this summer season, however Liverpool might have accomplished a newer signing who might change into the chief of this Reds aspect sooner or later.
Liverpool have already signed their subsequent captain
Let’s hope Van Dijk sticks round subsequent season. He nonetheless has a component to play, and his continued presence on the coronary heart of Iraola’s defensive system might pay dividends for an formidable aspect nonetheless in transition.
Nonetheless, there is no query that the Reds at the moment are well-stocked for the long run – particularly with a famous person in Jeremy Jacquet quick rising as one of many membership’s most interesting signings in a few years.
Liverpool analyst Sam McGuire has remarked that “Jacquet is already veering into Van Dijk territory“, such has been the magnitude of his performances after finalising his £60m switch from Rennes.
It appears like, possibly for the primary time since Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in a £75m deal again in January 2018, the veteran defender has a companion who is definitely elevating his sport.
|
Premier League 26/27 (Van Dijk vs Jacquet) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
Van Dijk |
Jacquet |
|
Matches (begins) |
8 (8) |
8 (8) |
|
Clear sheets |
4 |
4 |
|
Objectives + Assists |
0 + 0 |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches* |
84.9 |
70.0 |
|
Correct passes* |
64.5 (89%) |
49.6 (89%) |
|
Possibilities created* |
0.3 |
0.4 |
|
Possession misplaced* |
8.4 |
8.3 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
3.4 |
3.0 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
2.3 |
4.3 |
|
Clearances* |
7.4 |
3.4 |
|
Duels received* |
4.6 (77%) |
6.0 (70%) |
Liverpool have spent their fair proportion of cash over the previous few years, with critics lambasting FSG’s scattergun strategy. Nonetheless, Jacquet doesn’t fall into that class, having produced his share of first-class performances over his first few months on English soil.
Expert on the ball, tenacious in successful it again and with a scholarly means to learn the sport and act as a counterpoint to Van Dijk, there is no query that Jacquet has the potential to change into Liverpool’s subsequent famous person, even perhaps exhibiting that he can take the armband from his skipper when the time comes.
Jacquet already performs with the form of maturity that so many centre-backs seek for fruitlessly throughout the Premier League. To suppose that he is nonetheless so uncooked and inexperienced solely speaks towards his world-class potential.
He “shortly emerged as a frontrunner and defensive talisman” in his homeland with Rennes, in line with journalist Matt Spiro. Now, Jacquet is establishing himself as Liverpool’s future captain, when Van Dijk palms over the baton.
