Liverpool legend Ian Rush says Virgil van Dijk has a ‘long way to go’ to reach the level of Alan Hansen, who won eight league titles with the Reds.
Rush told talkSPORT: “He’s still got a long way to go, for me. If Alan Hansen would be playing football today, he’d be an absolute world-beater.
“Even in our day, he never tackled anyone, but on the ball, he was absolutely unbelievable. He was like a midfielder.
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“I think Van Dijk and Joe Gomez could be absolutely incredible, but whoever plays with Van Dijk plays well – Lovren, Matip – Van Dijk organises the defence and helps them all round. That’s how good he has been.”
That’s probably a fair assessment given how much Hansen won with the Reds – but it shows how highly regarded the Dutchman is that there is even a conversation taking place.
Van Dijk will be needed at the back against Napoli, with a clean sheet potentially hugely significant to Liverpool’s Champions League progression hopes.