Leicester City manager Claude Puel has named Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as ‘the best defender in the world’ ahead of the two sides’ Premier League clash on Wednesday night, Sky Sports reports.
After Manchester City fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United on Tuesday evening, despite taking the lead in the first-half, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side could open up a seven point gap to City at the top of the Premier League table.
Liverpool are 29 years without a top-flight title and tonight’s clash against Leicester City at Anfield will prove vital in their bid to be crowned champions.
Van Dijk had originally been named as a doubt for the Leicester fixture due to illness, but the Dutchman returned to training with The Reds this week and Klopp is hopeful that he will be able to play.
Puel will be well aware of Van Dijk’s strengths and ability from their time spent together when Puel was managing the defender at Southampton.
Ahead of the fixture, Puel heaped praise on the centre-back:
When I came in at Southampton he was, of course, a good player and I said at the time that for me he was the best defender in the world, but he was in comfort and had habits.
