Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger believes his Liverpool counterpart Virgil van Dijk is one of the best players in the position in the world right now, crediting the Netherlands international for changing the fortunes of the Reds on the pitch.
The Dutchman joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for £75 million, a then-world-record transfer fee for a defender, and he has helped them win one Premier League title and one Champions League title since then.
The Anfield club have become better at the back due to the presence of Van Dijk, and he has returned to his peak after injuries saw him struggle for some months.
Rudiger has been impressed with the impact the 33-year-old has had at Liverpool since joining them, showering praise on the four-time PFA Team of the Year player.
“I would go, William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel Magalhaes from Arsenal as well,” the Madrid star said on The Inside Scoop when asked who he thinks are the best three centre-backs right now excluding him.
“Virgil is Virgil, you know. You have to give the props to him because he changed Liverpool, to be very honest. Like before they were leaking goals left and right. He had times when people doubted him and everything, stuffs like these you know. And see him now doing well.
“In the last couple of years, one of the best centre-backs, especially because he came back from a big injury that can change careers. People also said he’s done. No, he’s not done. He is there. He is a top top defender.”
Van Dijk has been one of the best players in the world in recent months and will look to help Liverpool challenge for major trophies under manager Arne Slot this term.
He has led his side to two other Champions League finals, which they lost to Real Madrid, and winning the elite European competition and Premier League again will be on his mind.
Van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season, and it remains to be seen whether the Merseyside club will be able to convince him to extend his stay beyond this season.
He will not be short of top suitors in Europe and Saudi Arabia if he becomes a free agent in the summer, and losing him could be a big blow for Liverpool.
