Calm As You Like

Why Liverpool’s Problems Aren’t on Virgil van Dijk

“He’s our centre‑half, he’s our number four… calm as you like.”

The chant still rings around Anfield for a reason. Yet in 2025/26, as Liverpool’s defensive record wobbles and transition goals pile up, Virgil van Dijk has found himself back under scrutiny. The question keeps resurfacing: has he declined?  Spoiler alert: he has not (at least not in any way that explains LFC's struggles).

Context: VVD vs Other Elite CBs (2025/26)

For this comparison, we focus on centre‑backs playing meaningful minutes in the Premier League this season.

1. Defensive Reliability

Despite Liverpool conceding more goals than in past title‑challenging seasons, Van Dijk remains one of the least dribbled‑past defenders in the league. His rate of being beaten 1v1 is still among the best for Premier League centre‑backs, comparable to Dias and Saliba, and better than Romero in pure defensive security metrics.  Van Dijk is not getting exposed repeatedly in isolated duels.  His tackling numbers are lower than Romero’s — but that reflects restraint, not passivity.  He commits fewer fouls than most elite CBs, preserving defensive shape

He’s still defending cleanly. The issue is how often he’s forced into emergency defending.

2. Aerial Dominance: Still Among the League’s Best

In the Premier League this season, Van Dijk is winning roughly 70%+ of his aerial duels, placing him firmly in the elite tier alongside Dias and ahead of most CBs not named Romero.   Saliba is excellent aerially but sees fewer contested duels due to Arsenal’s territorial control.  Romero is more aggressive but less consistent.  Van Dijk remains Liverpool’s primary set‑piece and box‑defense anchor

There is no meaningful aerial decline. Liverpool’s set‑piece defending issues are systemic, not individual.

3. Ball Progression & Control (Where VVD Still Separates)

Among Premier League centre‑backs, Van Dijk remains one of the best distributors from deep: ~90% pass completion; high volume of progressive long passes; minimal turnover rate under pressure.  Dias is more conservative and generally opts for safer circulation; Saliba for cleaner, short-range progression; and Gvardiol may have superior carrying but less long-range control.

Van Dijk is still one of the league’s best control defenders — calm tempo, clean exits, no panic.

So Why Do Liverpool Look So Fragile?

This is where the analysis shifts away from Van Dijk — and toward Arne Slot’s system and midfield instability.

1. Slot’s Defensive Shape Exposes Centre‑Backs

Under Slot, Liverpool hold a higher and narrower line; commit fullbacks aggressively; and rely heavily on CBs to defend large transition spaces.  This places Van Dijk in repeat sprint recovery scenarios — the one area where age affects even elite defenders first.  Saliba benefits from consistent double-pivot protection and at City, Dias and Gvardiol defend behind the league's best rest-defense structure.

Van Dijk does not.

2. The Midfield Problem (The Real Culprit)

Liverpool’s biggest issue this season has been midfield unreliability, which is showing up as poor counter‑press resistance; gaps between lines; and late tracking on turnovers.  This results in VVD facing attacks already moving at full speed where he is often being forced to back‑pedal instead of stepping up.  No centre‑back in the league thrives in that environment. 

Final Verdict: Calm As He Ever Was

Virgil van Dijk has not become Liverpool’s problem.  What has changed is the ecosystem around him.  Liverpool’s defensive struggles are not about Van Dijk losing quality —they’re about removing the conditions that once amplified it.

Fix the midfield structure. Restore rest defense. Manage his minutes.  Do that, and the chant still fits.

Calm. As. You. Like.