Phil Jones Claims Liverpool Made a £22m Signing Better Than Getting Virgil van Dijk

In a surprising statement, former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has claimed that Liverpool's £22m signing outshone even the transformative arrival of Virgil van Dijk. Jones, known for his time at Old Trafford, highlighted an underrated Liverpool acquisition that he believes had a greater impact than Van Dijk's blockbuster £75m move from Southampton in 2018[3].

The article delves into Jones' bold assertion, drawing parallels between his own defensive prowess and elite center-backs like Van Dijk. Stats from Football Manager profiles underscore the comparison: in FM 2020, Van Dijk was valued at €80m with wages of €211k weekly, while Jones stood at €20m and €129k—roughly aligning with a £22m transfer fee context[1]. Earlier FM 2019 data showed Van Dijk at €70m versus Jones' €30m, emphasizing their high market values[2].

Jones praises the signing's defensive metrics, placing it in rare company. Among 606 outfield players with 1,000+ Premier League minutes since Van Dijk's debut, only Van Dijk, Phil Jones, and Raphael Varane boast over 70% success in duels and aerial duels. They also achieve 70%+ true tackle success—measuring tackles won without fouls or being dribbled— with Van Dijk at an astonishing 70.63% over 10,686 minutes, equivalent to a full week's continuous play[3].

Van Dijk's Liverpool legacy is unmatched: 60 unbeaten Premier League home games at Anfield, a Champions League triumph in his first full season, and ending a 30-year title drought. Yet Jones argues the £22m man matched this aura at a fraction of the cost, transforming Liverpool's backline more efficiently and proving value trumps price in modern football[3].

The piece sparks debate on hidden gems versus marquee buys, with Jones' endorsement elevating the signing's status among Reds fans.

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