Joey Barton says Liverpool have a ‘god’ in their ranks, a truly ‘outstanding’ player

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been described as a “god”, a “colossus” and an “outstanding” player by Joey Barton.

However, the Bristol Rovers boss says he would rather have Franco Baresi in his hypothetical dream line-up.

Van Dijk has been a revelation for Liverpool since joining from Southampton in January 2018 for £75million.

In a short space of time, he helped transform a shaky Reds defence into a solid, tight-knit unit, the team reaching the Champions League final that summer.

The following season, the Dutchman helped the Reds go all the way in Europe, and in 2020, helped Jurgen Klopp’s side win the Premier League, their first league title since 1990.

Speaking ahead of Rovers’ meeting with League One high-flyers Sunderland, Barton was asked by the Bristol Post what he hoped to teach his players by showing them videos of great defenders.

“Well, defending mate,” replied Barton. “Just to show them the best defenders come in all shapes and sizes. It’s an attitude.

“I asked the boys yesterday who is the best defender of the modern era. The names start coming out: Virgil Van Dijk, Sergio Ramos, Ashley Cole.

“You have to offer a few. A few like Roberto Ayala, Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore, Franco Baresi, and you show them.

“Virgil van Dijk is a god. He’s 6ft 85in, he’s got muscles everywhere, not a blemish on his face, modelling contracts everywhere, he’s a colossus.

“But your flipside of that is Franco Baresi who looks like someone who’s been dragged in off the street, and I’m telling you I’d rather have Baresi in my time.

“Virgil is outstanding, but Baresi, for the competition and the way he competed and used his body and never let the striker have a moment. That’s an attitude, not a physical output.”

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There can be little doubt that Van Dijk is currently one of the best, if not the best, defender in world football at the present time.

That he is being compared to some of the greatest defenders in football history shows he’s certainly part of those ranks.

It’s a shame he’s out long-term but fingers crossed he makes a quick return and swiftly gets back to his best – goodness knows the Reds need him back as soon as possible.