Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the world, says teammate

What's the news?

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson believes that Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the world, and he also backed the Dutchman to win the PFA Premier League Player of the Season accolade this season.

In case you didn't know...

Virgil van Dijk has been brilliant since joining Liverpool from Southampton for a record transfer fee of £75 million in January 2018, and he has transformed the Reds' shaky defence into one of the best in the world in little more than a year.

The Reds have conceded just 15 goals in 28 league games thus far this season, which is at least five less than any other team in the league. The Dutchman also contributes significantly in Liverpool's attacking play, and has scored three goals so far this season.

The Merseysiders are chasing their first league title since 1990, and van Dijk's form will play a key role in their success.

The heart of the matter

Speaking to LFC TV (via Mirror), Andy Robertson believes that Virgil van Dijk is the best centre-back in the world at the moment.

“He makes my life easier, that’s for sure. To have him next to me, it makes everything so much easier. When somebody is running at you, you know Virgil is inside because he’s rarely out of position, if ever.

“For me, he’s the best centre-back just now in the world, down to the way he’s playing and the confidence he’s got. And he’s still young enough that he can get even better. He works hard every day.”

Robertson also backed the Dutchman to win the PFA Player of the season accolade this season.

“If the season ended now, I would give him it. Virgil can take it to a whole new level, I reckon. He’s so consistent as well. If he puts the performances in during the last 10 games as he has done, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t have that trophy.”

The Scotsman also urged his teammate to contribute more goals to the team.

“Probably the only disappointment for him is that he hasn’t chipped in with enough goals,”.

“For the size of him, he’s a threat in both boxes and he scored two fantastic headers. But, more importantly, defensively he was sound.”

What's next?

Liverpool are scheduled to play Everton and Burnley in the league next before squaring up against Bayern Munich for the second leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie on March 14.