Virgil van Dijk sets all-time Liverpool record with 250th appearance

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk set a record for the Reds with his 250th appearance for the club. The Dutchman is an all-time great.

Virgil van Dijk reached a new milestone for Liverpool on Saturday. He captained the Reds away at Brentford in a 4-1 win that keeps them at the top of the Premier League.

It was Van Dijk's 250th appearance for the club since his arrival in January 2018. The Dutchman hasn't just been a regular ever since - he's pretty much been the first name on the team sheet.

Liverpool were transformed with his transfer as Van Dijk quickly established himself as the world's best defender. The Reds had been inconsistent, especially in defence, but that all changed with one deal.

Nothing quite underlines that like Van Dijk's record-setting win on Saturday. He has officially won more games across his first 250 Liverpool appearances than any player in the club's history.

Now, the Reds' ridiculous form under Jurgen Klopp means the top places are absolutely dominated by Van Dijk's teammates. He stands above them all, however, with 171 wins in 250 games.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is now second with 168 wins. Alisson Becker's 164 earns him third.

Of course, Van Dijk's awful injury in 2020 means he's lagged a little behind everyone when it comes to playing game no.250. He's made it now, though, and it's been an incredible ride.

The Dutchman has won every major trophy and played in three UEFA Champions League finals. There have also been record points totals in the Premier League, even if two 90+ point campaigns didn't result in the trophy.

And there may be more to come this season. Van Dijk will continue towards 300 appearances over the course of 2023/24 and knows he'll have the chance to win at least one more trophy.

The Carabao Cup final this this weekend, while the Reds are right among the favourites in the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League. The latter is the only trophy Jurgen Klopp has competed for with Liverpool and not won.

A remarkable, record-setting 250 appearances for Van Dijk, then. We could be saying the same after 300 in a year's time.