Man Utd icon Rio Ferdinand fails lie detector question about Liverpool star

Rio Ferdinand knows one or two things about world-class Premier League defending.

Let’s not beat around the bush: the Manchester United icon is one of the greatest centre-backs to ever take to the Premier League, dominating at Old Trafford across 12 trophy-ladened years.

Ferdinand not only had the mettle, heart and desire necessary for anyone hoping to thrive in England’s top-flight, but he also channeled the oft-underrated mantra of ‘positive defending’ so typical of Bobby Moore.

The United legend imbued England’s World Cup-winning captain with his ability to dash into midfield from the back-line, oozing class with the ball at his feet in a manner that, frankly, was ahead of its time.

And just as there were shades of Moore in Ferdinand, there’s good reason to believe that there are shades of Ferdinand in Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool‘s juggernaut lives and breathes the notion that every player on the pitch should be excellent with the ball at their feet, often attracting the classic “Rolls Royce” label for his silkiness in possession.

Yes, he’d smash his forehead into a brick to keep a clean sheet for the Reds, but the true spirit of his game shines in the fizzing diagonal balls, gluey first touches and velvety passes out from the back.

Marry that to generally being one of the greatest players in Premier League history and we shouldn’t be all that surprised to see Van Dijk and Ferdinand being regularly compared across social media.

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And while, like with most every debate in football, there’s never going to be an objective answer to that most fascinating of comparisons, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t some telling perspectives to unpick within the discourse.

Namely, that