Pallister Makes Cantona Comparison As He Praises Liverpool Star

Pallister Makes Cantona Comparison As He Praises Liverpool Star

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister has compared Liverpool’s signing of Virgil van Dijk to the Red Devils’ decision to snap up Eric Cantona in the mid-nineties.

The French striker helped United secure four Premier League titles between 1993 and 1997, and Pallister believes his influence on the club was similar to how van Dijk has transformed Liverpool:

“He’s a bit like Cantona was for us, that final piece of the jigsaw. Liverpool were looking for a really dominant centre half to take them to the next level and they found that in Virgil van Dijk.”

“I always remember a good friend of mine, Tony Mowbray, talking about Van Dijk a year or so before he went to Liverpool. He was saying, ‘I can’t believe one of the top four teams haven’t bought him because he looks a real exceptional player’.”

“Then Liverpool paid what seemed to be over the odds for his services and he has taken to it like a duck to water.“He is a pivotal figure, a leader that you need in your back four, the final piece of the jigsaw. He has been superb since he has been there.”

It is an interesting comparison. Before Cantona moved to Old Trafford, United had not won a league title in 36 years, but the flamboyant Frenchman played a key role in starting the Red Devils’ era of domination.

While Liverpool have yet to match those achievements under Jurgen Klopp, van Dijk’s signature has certainly helped them lift a fair few trophies already.

The Reds have won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in the past 12 months, and they will be hoping to clinch their first league title in 30 years when the season resumes.