Virgil van Dijk has praised Liverpool linked centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, calling him an “excellent defender”.
The Netherlands international defender is regarded as one of the most promising starlets in world football, and at just 19-years old, is a highly coveted player.
Less than two weeks ago, De Ligt admitted that he’d be open to a potential move to Liverpool to reunite with his international defensive partner. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, De Ligt said:
Virgil is a player who has experience in the top leagues.
Of course, you would want to learn from him. It’s very helpful playing alongside him in the Dutch team.
It could happen (De Ligt joining him at Anfield). He plays for Liverpool, a good club, but I’m not focused on them.
I focus on Ajax and then I’ll see where I end up.
Now Van Dijk has spoken out about De Ligt, labelling him an excellent defender while claiming he enjoys playing alongside him. As reported by the Echo, Van Dijk said of De Ligt:
He’s obviously an excellent defender, that’s clear.
He can still improve a lot and he realises that, but playing like he does at that age is fantastic and I’m really happy to play besides him.
Dutch footballers to play for Liverpool
Ryan Babel
The Fulham forward joined Liverpool from Ajax in 2007, spending four years on Merseyside before moving to Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.
Babel scored 22 times in 146 appearances for the Reds.
Dirk Kuyt
Joining the Reds in 2006, the Dutchman was unfortunate to move to Merseyside during a time where Liverpool struggled to win silverware.
In his six years with the club, Kuyt won just the League Cup in the 2011-12 season, scoring 71 goals in 286 total appearances for the club.
Bolo Zenden
Zenden joined the club the season after Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win from Middlesbrough, but struggled with a number of serious injuries during his time on Merseyside.
Despite this, Zenden started as the Reds won the UEFA Super Cup in 2006, also starting in the Champions League defeat to AC Milan in 2007.
Sander Westerveld
Westerveld became the most expensive goalkeeper in English football when he completed a £4million transfer from Vitesse in 1999.
Brought in to succeed David James, Westerveld was first-choice at Anfield for two seasons, before departing for Real Sociedad.
Ki-Jana Hoever
The 17-year centre-back made his competitive debut for Liverpool in January 2019 at the age of 16, becoming the club’s youngest ever player in the FA Cup, as well as their third youngest in any competition.
Jan Kromkamp
Kromkamp agreed to swamp Villarreal for Liverpool in December 2005, spending just five months on Merseyside. The Dutchman couldn’t dislodge Steve Finnan, and only made a handful of appearances from the bench.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Current midfielder for Liverpool, Gini signed from Newcastle in 2016 after the Magpies were relegated to the Championship.
The 28-year old has started 26 times in the Premier League this season.
Erik Meijer
Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 1999, Meijer struggled to dislodge Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler for the Reds, managing just two goals in his two year stint on Merseyside – both against Hull City in the League Cup.