‘The best’: Rio Ferdinand makes claim about Liverpool star

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Rio Ferdinand has told his YouTube channel that he would be disappointed if Virgil van Dijk did not believe that he was better than Ferdinand himself, before insisting that the Liverpool star is the best in the world in his position.

The Reds have received a huge boost this season. The Dutchman has started every single Premier League game for Jurgen Klopp’s side this term.

Of course, that comes off the back of a campaign in which van Dijk missed the large majority due to the nasty injury he suffered in the Merseyside derby.

There would have always been concerns about how easily van Dijk would find trying to get back to his previous level.

But the 30-year-old has been superb. And for much of the season, his partnership with Joel Matip has been outstanding.

It was put to Ferdinand that he and van Dijk are out in front in terms of the Premier League’s best defenders.

And when asked whether the Dutchman will believe that he is better than the Manchester United hero, Ferdinand insisted that he would like to think so.

“I’d be disappointed if he’s not thinking that,” he told his YouTube channel. “I think he’s a respectful type of guy and he’ll look at people’s legacies. If he’s not sitting there going, ‘I’m better than x, y and z’, then I’d be surprised.

“You’ve got to believe that you’re the guy, you’ve got to believe you’re the best. And I think Virgil is the best centre-back in the world.”

Liverpool do need to improve defensively, but van Dijk form a reason for encouragement

While Matip and van Dijk have been colossal together at times, Klopp’s men have been too open of late.

They have conceded five goals across the last two games, drawing with Brighton and losing to West Ham.

Van Dijk was arguably the standout performer amongst the backline at the London Stadium.

And his return to form will give them reason for optimism in the months ahead. If the players around him can get back to their best, the Reds will unquestionably be right in the title race.