The Van Dijk vs Saliba debate has rapidly become one of the most captivating talking points in Premier League football. The rivalry took center stage last season when William Saliba boldly declared himself among the best defenders in England—only lacking silverware to match the claim. That sparked fierce discussion among fans, pundits, and analysts alike.

Now, William Saliba renews his contract at Arsenal amid long-standing and strong interest from Real Madrid, how does he measure up against the best in the league over the last three seasons?

In this in-depth comparison, we break down Virgil van Dijk vs William Saliba to determine who truly deserves the crown as the best centre-back in the Premier League. Using detailed performance data from the last three EPL seasons, we’ll analyze every facet of their defensive game.

On one end, you have Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s defensive general and the undisputed leader of their golden era under Jürgen Klopp and now Arne Slot. Towering in stature and authority, Van Dijk has redefined what it means to be a modern centre-back—commanding in the air, composed in possession, and a master of reading the game.

On the other, William Saliba, Arsenal’s Rolls Royce of a defender—calm under pressure, positionally intelligent, technically refined, and has been desperate to make a name for himself on the world stage. Still just 24, Saliba has become the bedrock of Mikel Arteta’s backline and is already drawing serious interest from Europe’s elite, with Real Madrid reportedly monitoring his progress closely. He has twice been included in the PFA Team of the Year in 2023-2024 and 2022-2023.

As the tactical and technical standards of the Premier League have skyrocketed over the past three seasons, the battle between Van Dijk and Saliba offers a fascinating lens through which to assess modern defending. Who has truly delivered at the highest level?

We’ll examine key defensive metrics: goalscoring contributions, progressive passing, aerial duels won, interceptions, clearances, and tackles. We’ll also break down their error-proneness, ability to retain possession under pressure, and frequency of fouls committed—particularly in dangerous areas near their own box, where a single mistake can spell disaster.

Non-Penalty Goals per 90: Van Dijk vs Saliba

While defenders aren’t typically judged on their goal-scoring exploits, having a centre-back who can deliver crucial goals—especially in high-stakes moments—can be a game-changer.

Sergio Ramos and Gabriel Magalhães have proven that defenders who contribute offensively can tilt the balance of tight matches, and in today’s modern game, non-penalty goals per 90 is an underrated but essential metric when evaluating centre-backs.

So how do Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba compare in this regard across the last three Premier League seasons?

Player	Club	Season	Non-Penalty Goals per 90
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	2024–2025	0.08
William Saliba	Arsenal	2024–2025	0.06
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	2023–2024	0.06
William Saliba	Arsenal	2023–2024	0.05
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	2022–2023	0.10
William Saliba	Arsenal	2022–2023	0.07

The data clearly shows that Van Dijk has been the more prolific of the two when it comes to scoring non-penalty goals, maintaining a consistently higher output across all three campaigns.

His peak came in the 2022–2023 season with 0.10 non-penalty goals per 90, underlining his ability to rise in key moments—often from set-pieces where his aerial dominance is unmatched.

However, Saliba isn’t too far behind. His numbers, though slightly lower, have shown steady growth. From 0.05 in 2023–2024 to 0.06 in 2024–2025, the Frenchman is quietly evolving into a more well-rounded defender. While Van Dijk, arguably the Premier League’s best defender, still leads this metric, the gap may be narrowing—indicating that Saliba is starting to add a valuable goal-scoring edge to his defensive play.

Pass Accuracy (%): Saliba vs Van Dijk – Who’s the More Reliable Distributor?

In modern football, pass accuracy has become a non-negotiable trait—especially for centre-backs operating in systems that demand playing out from the back. With most elite clubs emphasizing progressive build-up play, defenders are expected not only to win duels but also to initiate attacks with composure and precision. The last thing any manager wants is a misplaced pass near the penalty area, inviting unnecessary pressure and potential disaster.

So between Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, who has been more secure and accurate in possession over the last three Premier League seasons?

Player	Club	Season	Pass Accuracy (%)
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	2024–2025	91.6%
William Saliba	Arsenal	2024–2025	94.3%
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	2023–2024	91.4%
William Saliba	Arsenal	2023–2024	92.4%
Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	2022–2023	90.5%
William Saliba	Arsenal	2022–2023	91.0%

The numbers reveal that William Saliba edges out Van Dijk as the more precise passer. While both centre-backs have maintained elite pass completion rates—each consistently above 90%—it’s Saliba who has outperformed the Dutchman across all three campaigns.

In the 2024–2025 season, Saliba recorded a pass accuracy of 94.3%, while Van Dijk registered 91.6%. In the 2023–2024 season, Saliba had 92.4%, compared to Van Dijk’s 91.4%. And in 2022–2023, Saliba once again edged it with 91.0%, while Van Dijk had 90.5%.

It’s also worth noting that while both players have slightly improved their passing over the three-year span, Saliba’s rate of improvement has been more noticeable, despite already leading Van Dijk in this metric in the last three months and being much younger than the Liverpool center back.

Long Pass Accuracy (%)

In modern football, especially in the Premier League, long passing has become an essential skill for central defenders. The ability to bypass the press and launch an attack with a single, precise long ball can be the difference between absorbing pressure and creating chances.

One of the best examples of this was articulated by Mikel Arteta during his early days at Arsenal, when reflecting on Liverpool’s defensive build-up play.

Speaking about Virgil van Dijk’s long-ball ability, Arteta said:

“When you get past the Liverpool press, you then hit Van Dijk. He then hits a 60-yard pass to Mo Salah, and they are out of the press. That is quality.”

This quote perfectly captures the importance of long pass accuracy in elite football. So how do William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk compare in this area over the past three seasons?

Season	Player	Club	Long Pass Accuracy (%)
2024–2025	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	67.2%
2024–2025	William Saliba	Arsenal	79.9%
2023–2024	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	73.5%
2023–2024	William Saliba	Arsenal	69.3%
2022–2023	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	70.9%
2022–2023	William Saliba	Arsenal	75.0%

Statistically, William Saliba has had the better long pass accuracy in two of the last three Premier League campaigns, while Van Dijk outperformed him in one.

This suggests that Saliba is the more precise long passer in recent seasons. However, percentages alone don’t always tell the full story — especially in a metric where volume is just as important as accuracy.

Long Balls Completed Per 90

Long balls completed per 90 minutes helps us assess how frequently a defender attempts and completes long passes. This stat captures a player’s ability to consistently deliver long-range passes with both precision and intention, especially under pressure.

For centre-backs, relying on short passes doesn’t always relieve pressure or move the ball forward. For this reason, the volume of completed long passes per game becomes crucial in evaluating their technical and tactical effectiveness in ball progression.

Season	Player	Club	Long Balls Completed per 90
2024–2025	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	6.19
2024–2025	William Saliba	Arsenal	3.64
2023–2024	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	6.77
2023–2024	William Saliba	Arsenal	2.74
2022–2023	Virgil van Dijk	Liverpool	7.75
2022–2023	William Saliba	Arsenal	4.02

Here, Virgil van Dijk clearly leads. While Saliba may have the edge in pass accuracy, Van Dijk’s sheer volume of completed long passes—sometimes double or triple that of Saliba—explains why he remains one of the most highly rated ball-playing defenders in the Premier League.

These numbers show that while William Saliba has grown into an excellent progressive passer from the back, Virgil van Dijk is still far more influential in launching attacks through long passes. His ability to relieve pressure and kickstart transitions from deep has remained a defining trait of Liverpool’s defensive strategy.

Progressive Carrying Distance (Yards per 90)

Progressive carrying distance per 90 minutes is a key stat that measures how far a player advances the ball toward the opponent’s goal through ball carrying and controlling it with his feet.

Its alternative to passing and for centre-backs, this metric reveals how confident and technically gifted they are when evading pressure, beating the press, and supporting high defensive lines with forward momentum.

Ball progression, shows that a player can do more than just pass — they can drive forward, break opposition lines, and play an active role in their team’s attacking transitions.

While some defenders rely heavily on progressive passing, others shine through close control, composure, and the ability to carry the ball forward under pressure — all traits that are essential in build-up play from the back.

Here are the numbers comparing William Saliba vs Virgil van Dijk in this metric over the past three Premier League seasons:

These numbers show that Virgil van Dijk has outperformed Saliba in this area over the last two seasons, consistently covering more ground with the ball at his feet. However, it’s also worth noting the year-on-year decline in William Saliba’s progressive carrying distance, which has dropped from 144.89 in 2022–2023 to 123.02 in 2024–2025.

Aerial Duels Won per 90 Minutes

Who was the better defender in the air?

When it comes to dominating in the air, Virgil van Dijk has clearly outperformed William Saliba over the last three Premier League seasons.

The Liverpool captain has consistently won nearly three times as many aerial duels per 90 minutes compared to Saliba. In this key defensive metric, Van Dijk stands out as the superior aerial defender, showcasing his physical dominance, intelligent positioning, and greater ability to win headers under pressure.

Aerial Success Rate (%)

Who was more efficient in the air?

The aerial success rate (%) for Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba over the past three Premier League seasons tells a familiar story — Van Dijk continues to dominate in the air, not just in the number of aerial duels won but also in how efficiently he wins them.

The Liverpool defender consistently recorded a higher aerial duel success rate than William Saliba, often outclassing the Arsenal centre-back by a significant margin. This reinforces Van Dijk’s reputation as one of the Premier League’s most commanding aerial presences.

Ball Recoveries per 90

Ball recoveries per 90 minutes is one of the clearest indicators of a defender’s ability to read the game, intercept passes, and regain possession for their team. When comparing William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk over the last three Premier League seasons, a clear trend emerges — Saliba consistently edges out Van Dijk in this crucial defensive metric.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	3.11	4.56
2023–2024	4.82	5.61
2022–2023	5.33	7.68

From 2022 to 2025, the Arsenal centre-back has recorded higher ball recoveries per 90 in every season than his Liverpool counterpart. This not only highlights Saliba’s superior anticipation and positioning but also raises a compelling question: Is William Saliba better in ground duels and ball-winning situations than Virgil van Dijk?

The numbers certainly suggest so — and they add more fuel to the debate over who is the Premier League’s best centre-back right now.

Ground Duels Won per 90

When it comes to ground duels won per 90 minutes, this stat reveals just how effective a defender is at reading the game, reacting quickly, and using physicality to regain possession on the ground — not just in the air.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	1.5	2.7
2023–2024	1.6	1.8
2022–2023	1.1	2.1

Across the last three Premier League seasons, William Saliba has consistently outperformed Virgil van Dijk in ground duels won per 90. While Van Dijk remains a dominant force in aerial duels, Saliba’s edge in ground battles highlights his agility, anticipation, and tackling precision.

This contrast adds a fascinating layer to the Saliba vs Van Dijk debate. Van Dijk may rule the skies, but is Saliba quietly proving to be the Premier League’s best when the ball stays on the deck?

That brings us to the next big question: Who boasts the better ground duel success rate (%)?

Ground Duels Success Rate (%)

Ground duel success rate (%) is one of the most telling defensive metrics — it measures not just how often a player wins tackles on the ground, but also their decision-making, timing, and efficiency in 1v1 battles. A high success rate means the defender chooses his moments wisely and executes with precision.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	62.07%	65.69%
2023–2024	63.95%	59.82%
2022–2023	59.26%	65.88%

Looking at the last three Premier League seasons, William Saliba has outperformed Virgil van Dijk in two out of three campaigns. In both 2022–2023 and 2024–2025, Saliba posted a higher ground duel success rate, showing greater control and effectiveness in ground challenges. Only in the 2023–2024 season did Van Dijk slightly edge him out.

This data reinforces the growing narrative: while Van Dijk is known for his aerial dominance, William Saliba is proving to be more reliable and efficient in ground duels — a critical trait for any elite modern centre-back.

Tackles Won per 90

Tackles won per 90 is a key defensive metric that highlights how frequently a player regains possession cleanly with their feet — a more precise subset of ground duels. It reflects a defender’s timing, technique, and ability to stop attackers without fouling.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.54	1.10
2023–2024	1.10	0.68
2022–2023	0.44	0.75

Over the past three Premier League seasons, William Saliba has outperformed Virgil van Dijk in tackles won per 90 in two of the three campaigns. The only season where Van Dijk edged ahead was in 2023–2024.

When it comes to stopping players with clean tackles, Saliba has the edge over Van Dijk.

Blocks per 90

Blocks per 90 is a key defensive metric that reflects a player’s ability to read the game, anticipate danger, and position themselves effectively to stop shots before they reach the goal. It’s a testament to defensive awareness, timing, and bravery — traits every top-level centre-back must possess.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.54	1.10
2023–2024	1.10	0.68
2022–2023	0.44	0.75

In this category, Virgil van Dijk held the edge over the past three seasons, registering more blocks per 90 than William Saliba in both the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 Premier League seasons. However, Saliba responded in style during the 2024–2025 campaign, outperforming Van Dijk in blocks per 90.

Interceptions per 90

Interceptions per 90 is a key indicator of a defender’s ability to anticipate passes, read attacking patterns, and position themselves effectively to cut off dangerous play before it even begins. It reflects a defender’s football IQ — their reading of the game, awareness, and tactical discipline.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	1.51	0.62
2023–2024	1.10	0.76
2022–2023	0.98	0.71

Across the past three seasons, Virgil van Dijk has outperformed William Saliba by a clear margin in this metric. In 2024–25, Van Dijk posted 1.51 interceptions per 90 compared to Saliba’s 0.62. Even in the previous two seasons, the Liverpool captain maintained higher figures — 1.10 in 2023–24 and 0.98 in 2022–23 — while Saliba trailed with 0.76 and 0.71 respectively.

Clearances per 90

In the category of clearances per 90, which reflects a defender’s ability to relieve pressure by clearing danger from the backline.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	5.14	3.52
2023–2024	4.08	2.13
2022–2023	4.38	3.17

Van Dijk once again leads across all three seasons. The Dutchman registered 5.14 in 2024–25, a clear jump from 4.08 in 2023–24 and 4.38 in 2022–23. Saliba, while neat and tidy in possession, is less dominant in his box-clearing duties, recording 3.52, 2.13, and 3.17 respectively over the same campaigns.

Fouls committed per 90

Fouls committed per 90 data reflects how disciplined and controlled a defender is when engaging opponents.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.46	0.83
2023–2024	0.65	0.68
2022–2023	0.41	0.71

Van Dijk has consistently been cleaner and more composed, with 0.46 fouls per 90 in 2024–25, 0.65 in 2023–24, and just 0.41 in 2022–23. Saliba’s figures are higher across the board — 0.83, 0.68, and 0.71 — suggesting he still gets drawn into unnecessary contact more frequently.

Miscontrols per 90

Miscontrols per 90 stat illustrates a defender’s ability to handle pressure and maintain technical composure when receiving the ball.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.27	0.56
2023–2024	0.20	0.58
2022–2023	0.22	0.56

Van Dijk proves again why he’s trusted as a ball-playing centre-back, averaging just 0.27 miscontrols per 90 in the latest season, slightly lower than his already impressive 0.20 and 0.22 in the two seasons prior. Saliba’s higher numbers — 0.56 in 2024–25 and a consistent 0.58 and 0.56 before that — reveal areas for refinement when under close pressure.

Errors Leading to a Shot per 90

Looking at errors leading to a shot per 90, this stat arguably reveals the most costly kind of mistake a defender can make — one that puts the goalkeeper at risk.

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.11	0.21
2023–2024	0.00	0.08
2022–2023	0.10	0.15

Van Dijk was spotless in 2023–24, registering zero errors leading to a shot, and remained low in 2024–25 (0.11) and 2022–23 (0.10). Saliba’s progression is evident, but his numbers — 0.21, 0.08, and 0.15 — show he’s still had more lapses in concentration over time.

Fouls from Attempted Tackles per 90

Who tackled the cleanest?

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.4	0.3
2023–2024	0.6	0.4
2022–2023	0.3	0.3

Saliba edges Van Dijk in recent seasons, showing slightly better timing in his direct defensive actions. In 2024–25, Saliba averaged just 0.3 fouls from attempted tackles, compared to Van Dijk’s 0.4. The trend held in 2023–24 as well, with Saliba at 0.4 versus Van Dijk’s 0.6. Both players were even in 2022–23, recording 0.3.

Possession Lost per 90

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	7.2	5.4
2023–2024	7.4	6.8
2022–2023	8.1	7.1

William Saliba lost the ball just 5.4 times per 90 in 2024–25, while Van Dijk recorded 7.2. This difference was consistent in previous years too — Saliba with 6.8 and 7.1, compared to Van Dijk’s 7.4 and 8.1.

Times Tackled per 90

Finally, times tackled per 90 is an interesting stat for measuring how often a player is successfully dispossessed

Season	Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	William Saliba (Arsenal)
2024–2025	0.2	0.5
2023–2024	0.2	0.5
2022–2023	0.0	0.3

For defenders, low numbers are ideal — they suggest composure, good ball shielding, and smart decision-making under pressure. Van Dijk is elite in this category. He was tackled just 0.2 times per 90 in both 2024–25 and 2023–24, and not once at all in 2022–23.

Saliba, meanwhile, recorded higher numbers — 0.5 in both 2024–25 and 2023–24, and 0.3 in 2022–23. While not alarming, the contrast shows Van Dijk’s exceptional ability to resist the press and glide out of pressure situations with minimal risk.

Conclusion

When comparing Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba, it’s clear both defenders bring elite qualities to their respective teams. Van Dijk’s aerial dominance, composure, and experience still set the benchmark in the Premier League, while Saliba’s sharp anticipation, distribution, and youth-driven consistency mark him as a future world-class leader.

While the numbers slightly lean in Van Dijk’s favor for now, Saliba is closing the gap and is still young and therefore promising.