Liverpool’s stalwart defender Virgil van Dijk has revealed who is the the best player he has ever played alongside, which may come as a surprise to most.
The 31-year-old Liverpool and Netherlands defender, who is prepping up to play for Holland at the 2022 World Cup, is certain that his Brazilian team-mate Roberto Firmino was always one up over the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Van Dijk has played alongside the Brazilian forward ever since their early days at Southampton prior to the both of them joining Liverpool, the pair have been winning every major trophy in that period including the Premier League and Champions League.
On a parallel, the defender also has had the experience of playing against Firmino during his time with Southampton prior to his blockbuster £80million move to Anfield.
“I would say at Liverpool it’s Bobby Firmino,” the Dutch defender told Pitch Side’s YouTube channel.
“But also knowing how difficult it is to play against him as a defender because he drops deep.
“I can say him, but Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Thiago now. It’s been enjoyable playing with these guys.”
Van Dijk also revealed who the best player on his national team is, by adding: “At the national team I would say Frenkie de Jong.”
Firmino has been clearly integral to the Reds’ success in recent seasons, despite seemingly having fallen down the pecking order this summer with Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and new signing Darwin Nunez being the preferred choices up front.
But ever the fighter, the Brazilian has reclaimed his place and has bounced back notching nine goals this season in 21 appearances in all competitions. The Brazilian dynamo has netted a total of 107 goals across 348 appearances since arriving at Liverpool from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim back in 2015.
Firmino was most surprisingly dropped from selection for Brazil’s 2022 World Cup squad despite his good form this campaign and will also be out of contract this summer at Liverpool although Jurgen Klopp’s side are believed to be working on a contract extension to keep the Brazilian at the club for at least the immediate future.