MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 09:18:35| >> :120:6085:6085:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Champions League | Final
May 28, 2022 at 8.36pm UK
Stade Auguste Delaune
Real Madrid logo

Liverpool
0 - 1
Real Madrid


Fabinho (62')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Junior (59')

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid player duels: Virgil van Dijk or David Alaba?

Ahead of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, the Sports Mole team discuss who is the better centre-back - Virgil van Dijk or David Alaba?

Some of the world's best players will be on show in Paris on Saturday as Liverpool and Real Madrid go head to head in the biggest club game in football - the Champions League final.

It is the third time the two famous clubs have met in a European Cup final - a record for a single fixture - with the past two split one apiece, Liverpool winning in Paris in 1981 before Real Madrid lifted the trophy in 2018.

Ahead of the blockbuster fixture between two of Europe's most decorated teams, the Sports Mole team have compared every player likely to start the match for both sides in Paris.

Here, we discuss whether Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk or Real Madrid's David Alaba is the better centre-back.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk on May 14, 2022© Reuters

Barney Corkhill, Editor

VERDICT: Virgil van Dijk

It speaks volumes that a player as good as David Alaba - someone who has won the league title for 10 consecutive seasons and has 29 trophies to his name - does not even get a look-in for this head to head.

Alaba may be one of the best defensive players of his generation, but such is Virgil van Dijk's dominance since joining Liverpool that he has already been thrust into the conversation of the greatest defenders of all time.

There is simply no weakness in the Dutchman's game; his pace is deceptive, he can match almost any striker for strength and his ability in one-on-one situations is already legendary, to the extent that most forwards do not even bother trying to take him on now.

Add to that his ability on the ball, with his sweeping diagonal passes a big reason why Liverpool's wide players enjoy such good numbers themselves, and you have one of the most complete centre-backs to have ever graced the game.

Van Dijk's overall standing in that list may end up being decided by his trophy haul as well as his actual ability, but I struggle to recall seeing a more dominant and unbeatable centre-back.

Alaba has been and remains a great player, and it is worth noting that he is equally adept at centre-back as he is at left-back or even left-wing, so he beats Van Dijk when it comes to versatility, but in a centre-back head to head against Van Dijk, no player in world football would come out on top right now.


David Alaba celebrates scoring for Real Madrid in October 2021© Reuters

Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

VERDICT: Virgil van Dijk

The Real Madrid man may have won out in the Militao vs. Konate pick, but this one is no contest whatsoever.

Coming back from that devastating ACL injury like he never left, Virgil van Dijk has been an imposing figure in the Liverpool rearguard as ever, while three goals and five assists is eye-catching for a centre-back too.

The ever-versatile Alaba has been a welcome addition to the Blancos books, but Van Dijk waltzes into my team, and Liverpool will be desperate to have the Dutchman at full fitness for the final.


SPORTS MOLE VERDICT: VIRGIL VAN DIJK

Virgil van Dijk in action for Liverpool on February 23, 2022© Reuters


ID:486804:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5569:No Data Analysis info
Game History

How you voted: Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Liverpool
56.3%
Real Madrid
43.7%
1054
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Eder Militao during the warm up before the match in May 2022
Read Next:
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid player duels: Ibrahima Konate or Eder Militao?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!