RIO FERDINAND has responded to Jamie Carragher’s claim that Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is “far better” than Nemanja Vidic ever was for Manchester United.
Carragher, 45, was critical of Liverpool‘s back line in the first half against Arsenal at the weekend as the Reds fell 2-0 behind before coming back to clinch a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic formed a formidable centre-back partnershipGetty Images – Getty
Jamie Carragher believes Virgil van Dijk is a better defender than Vidic wasGetty
Yet in the aftermath of the match he then leapt to the defence of Van Dijk – who was receiving criticism for his display at Anfield.
In response to comparisions with Ferdinand, John Terry, Vincent Kompany and Vidic, Carragher said: “VVD is far better than Vidic, who was a top CB, but have you forgot his performances against [Fernando] Torres?”
Vidic, who spent eight years at Old Trafford between 2006 and 2014, was sent off on two occasions when playing against ex-Liverpool striker Torres.
Carragher then went on to add: “Rio & JT had poor seasons in their career like all players, VVD is having one now. No CB in the PL era has ever had VVD’s impact on a team.
“Never mind the best CB in the league, he’s been the best player in the league along with KDB [Kevin de Bruyne] for four years before this one.
“We have never spoken about about other CB’s being the best player before, that shows the level he was at.”
Ferdinand has now hit back at Carragher’s comments by defending his former centre-back partner Vidic.
Speaking on the Vibe with Five YouTube channel, he said: “I see Jamie Carragher tweeted something about Van Dijk being better than Vidic.
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“I think Torres scored three goals in 15 games against Vidic. It’s a bit of a myth, he had a couple of dodgy moments in those games and got sent off a couple of times and that’s been amplified into saying he got tortured every time he played against Torres which wasn’t the case.
“[Marcus] Rashford’s got six goals in 13 games against Liverpool, does that mean he’s tortured Van Dijk?”
Van Dijk, who has been named in the PFA Team of the Year on three occasions, was slammed by both Roy Keane and Gary Neville following Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal.
When analysing the Gunners’ second goal, Keane said: “Really poor defending. Liverpool not at it. No intensity. Jesus standing in the middle of the box.
“Van Dijk’s ball watching. There’s no pressure on the ball. Far too easy for Arsenal. I bet he can’t believe his luck.”
Neville then added: “There is an element of luck in that Liverpool back four.
“You can defend them as they have the credit in the bank over the years, the performances, but it’s getting really difficult.
“They’re not doing the basics. Even there, Trent not sprinting back. Van Dijk idling across, legging someone up. It’s schoolboy stuff.”
Liverpool have endured a difficult campaign and look set to miss out on the Champions League next season.
Jurgen Klopp‘s men sit 12 points adrift of the top four with just nine games remaining.
And they could miss out on European football altogether as they are eighth in the Premier League behind Aston Villa and Brighton.
Virgil van Dijk struggled during the first half against Arsenal on SundayAlamy Read More