Matthijs de Ligt has labelled Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, as ‘amazing’ and ‘one of the best’ players in the world, as he told ESPN.
The recently-signed up Bayern Munich star added that he is unsure if he and Van Dijk could become one of the best centre-back partnerships in the world later on this year.
The Netherlands will be hoping to cause an upset at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Louis Van Gaal having all the experience in the world to eek every bit of quality from his team, who will be underdogs.
Both Van Dijk and de Ligt will be certain starters at the World Cup, it’s just a case of who will play alongside the duo in a back three.
Nonetheless, following his £68 million transfer to the German champions (Sky Sports), this is what de Ligt had to say about his fellow countryman.
On if him and Van Dijk could be the best CB partnership after the World Cup: “We could be, I don’t know,” responded de Ligt. “That’s not for us to decide or for us to say.
“Plus, we play with three at the back, but I know what you mean. I think Virgil is one of the best centre-backs in the world. He is amazing. He has already shown for a couple of years that he is one of the best, if not the best.
“If we could be the best? I don’t know, the most important thing is that we play good as a team. You can play good as a partnership, but if the whole team is playing bad, then it’s no good.”
VAN DIJK THE BEST IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
The 31-year-old would argue that he is the best defender in the Premier League today, and despite coming back from his long-term injury last season, he was outstanding.
The Reds played every single game possible, securing two trophies, missing out on the Premier League title on the last day and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid in Paris.
Liverpool’s big problem isn’t themselves, but the machine that Pep Guardiola has managed to churn out at the Etihad.
Manchester City, with all their money, have won four out of the last five Premier League titles, and two of them pipping those from Merseyside on the last day.
In any other era, Jurgen Klopp’s team would probably be more successful, but that’s the nature of the beast they are dealing with.
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