When Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk for £75m – a then-record fee for a defender – back in January 2018, many unfamiliar with the centre-back's quality questioned the price tag, but the fact that it is now seen as a bargain speaks to the success he has had on Merseyside.
It is no surprise then that the Anfield faithful quickly conjured one of the best football chants around for the man that redefined the club's defensive identity and currently serves as its captain.
The song reflects the 34-year-old's composed, commanding and smooth playstyle, with the lyrics perfectly capturing the crowd's admiration for the legendary centre-half.
Read on as Football Ground Guide covers all you need to know about the Virgil van Dijk chant, including its lyrics, tune and origin.
Origin of Van Dijk chant
Like many other popular Liverpool chants, the Van Dijk chant was born out of admiration that quickly turned into folklore among Liverpool supporters. It first began circulating in early 2019, shortly after Van Dijk's commanding performances in the Premier League and Champions League established him as the world's best defender.
The chant's strength lies in its sincerity. There are no clever rhymes or complex verses, just admiration delivered in pure, rhythmic repetition.
By the time Liverpool lifted the Champions League trophy in 2019, the Van Dijk chant had become a fixture at Anfield, a badge of respect for a player who redefined defensive excellence.
Van Dijk chant lyrics and tune
The Van Dijk chant is sung to the tune of ‘Dirty Old Town', a classic folk song made famous by The Dubliners and The Pogues. It is a slow, rolling melody that is easy to remember and instantly recognisable, the kind of tune that builds naturally from a single voice into a roaring chorus.
Here are the lyrics:
He's our centre-half,
He's our number four,
Watch him defend,
And we watch him score,
He'll pass the ball,
Calm as you like,
He's Virgil van Dijk,
He's Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool supporters singing Van Dijk chant
FGG Says
The Van Dijk chant is more than noise; it is an acknowledgement. In a game where attackers usually get the limelight, a chant devoted to a centre-half shows how exceptional he is. It is not about flair or goals, it is about the reassurance, control and ensuring the backbone of the team is celebrated.
The chant is a sonic stamp of respect from fans who understand his role is as critical as any goalscorer.
Every time the chant reverberates through Anfield from the Kop to the Main Stand, it reaffirms what many already know: Van Dijk is not just part of the defence, he is the spine.