History-making centre-back urged to join Liverpool & partner Virgil van Dijk

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Retired Dutch winger Rene van der Gijp admits he would love to see Matthijs De Ligt build a formidable defensive partnership for the Netherlands at Liverpool.

This would of course mean honing his craft alongside the world’s most expensive defender and international teammate Virgil van Dijk.

De Ligt has been tipped to make a move to one of Europe’s elite sides in the foreseeable future amid his emergence as one of football’s most accomplished young defenders during his time at Ajax.

Barcelona have already emerged as contenders for the centre-back as they seek a long-term replacement for 32-year-old Gerard Piqué.

Nonetheless, Van der Gijp evidently remains keen on the teenager taking his career to Merseyside.

“It would be great for Dutch football if those two defenders can play alongside each other for five to six years,” he told Voetbal Primeur.

“Then you are getting the best centre-back pairing in Europe.”

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De Ligt made history by leading Ajax out in Wednesday’s defeat to Real Madrid, becoming the youngest ever captain at the age of 19 to start a Champions League knockout match.

Van Dijk himself has spoken highly of his fellow countryman in the past, insisting he would be happy to offer his opinion and advice were Liverpool to make him a transfer target.

The Reds find themselves in desperate need of defensive reinforcements in the summer, underlined by the availability of just one recognised senior centre-back ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Bayern Munich.

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