Even when we talk CB partnerships…Matip & VVD for me easily the best.
Although I’ve only seen Toure/Lovren, Skrtel/Agger/Sakho, Carra/Henchoz/Hyypia (which I loved) & Babb/Ruddock.
But would like to know how Hansen/Thommo compared for example.
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The team they anchored in 78-79 was for years considered the benchmark for the defense - only 16 goals conceded in a 42 games season. Probably still is. It was something silly like only 5 goals conceded at home all season (21 games).
Individually though I don’t think anyone we’ve ever had can hold a candle to him. You compare him against several of our greats and the thing they were best at he is better. He’s like a quicker version of if you combined the best of Hansen (coolness and ability), Yates (imposing stature), and Smith (dont you fucking dare think of even trying it).
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By the time his LFC career ends, he might well be up there with someone like Hansen, maybe it a Liverpool all time XI. Of course, not only those two, we can’t forget the likes of Yeats, Smith, Thompson, Lawrenson, Carragher, Hyypia…
The ridiculous thing about Van Dijk is when you compare him to other centre backs around at the minute, it’s an absolute chasm to the second best one. He is so far ahead of his peers it’s unreal.
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I would have loved to see Peak Agger / VVD together but then Matip/VVD comes to be about par in terms of two ball playing defenders
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Van Dijk would have probably made Agger look good!
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Don’t think the difference between him and Matip is that much… but yeah , the rest of the CB’s after that , there’s a huge drop off
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Hansen was the best I had previously ever seen (since 1970).
Hard to compare different styles and eras.
There have been many greats, but Virgil’s affect on the whole team, on the whole club, is extraordinary.
He is the coolest person on the planet.
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Talking of Agger without the injuries and at his peak level. One guy who i felt would really have kicked on to having a huge career… The similarities between the two are uncanny though
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It was probably a lot easier back then to not concede a goal with the playing style then … as opposed to the playing style now.
I don’t think you can compare defenses across eras. Individual players, Yes…but not a defensive setup or even teams across eras.
Totally agree, the tactics, fitness and technical ability is higher now plus attackers get so much protection, for me VVD is the best
Pretty much sums him up perfectly.
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So am I. Massively overrated by fans IMO.
Nope. Theres a reason he nearly ended up at peak Barcelona despite massive injury issues.
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Negatives
- Awful positional sense.
- Piss weak in the air
- couldn’t head the ball
Positives
- Had YWNA tatoo’d on his knuckles
- That top bin shot he did twice
- Once had a pop at Hodge.
- Better than Skrtel.
I don’t think peak Barcelona are a benchmark for defenders, considering they took the worlds best DM and played him there. The normal rules didn’t apply. It’s not like he would have been anything other than cover option they could pick up on the cheap.
Honestly, looking around at the best defenders in the league at that time Agger is nowhere near.
Sorry thats your opinion and my opinion is it’s nonsene.
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The difference is realised when you pair them with another CB.
Not saying Matip isn’t good. He’s definitely one of the top CBs. But there’s something about VVD that raises him to a level different than the rest. The combination of everything, can’t comment much about the players @Limiescouse highlighted as I have never seen them play but the qualities sums it up.
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Agger had good positional sense and read the game well, so that first bullet point is so wrong I assumed this post was satire at first.
He wasn’t the best in the air but not the worst either. 61% aerial duel success rate (PL) in a time when target men were probably a bit more prevalant than today. Joe Gomez is at 56% for comparison,
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Quite often being dragged out of position to try and cover for Skrtel who had the bizarre habit of drifting into space on the corner of the six yard box leaving a man unmarked when crosses were coming in. Agger would have to try and get there and then try and challenge someone in a much better position. And then the narrative would be that Agger was weak in the aerial challenge. Saw that happen over and over was so frustrating. Carra wasn’t too great by the time Agger was a mainstay either, mostly old by then.
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Back to his absolute best, isn’t he? An incredible player really. Here’s to him staying fit and at this level right until the end of the season! 
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