Barcelona and Spain legend Carles Puyol has gone as far as to call Virgil van Dijk the “complete defender”, having watched his electric campaign last season.
The Spaniard knows what he’s talking about when it comes to defensive players, having been one of the finest centre backs of his generation.
Going even further, Puyol claims that van Dijk is one of the best players in the world – backed up by his second place finish to Lionel Messi at the recent FIFA awards.
“[Virgil] van Dijk is one of the best in the world – he is the complete defender, always calm, a great player,” Puyol told the Independent.
“The spotlight usually goes to the strikers, so it is nice to see a special defender get deserved recognition.”
It’s hardly a surprise that players – past and present – have been lauding van Dijk, as he’s transforming into one of the finest defenders in world football before our eyes.
This season Liverpool have fielded five centre back partners with van Dijk but, aside from suspensions, he’s the only real constant. The Reds, in recent years, haven’t been known having an air tight defence but the Dutch skipper changed that.
He’s been outstanding – and he’ll be at the epicentre of the explosion that will be Liverpool fans’ joy if the Premier League title comes to Anfield.