‘I was nowhere near where he is at his age’ – Virgil Van Dijk full of compliments for William Saliba

In an interview with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk (33) commented on the performances of Arsenal centre-back William Saliba (23). During the interview, the Liverpool captain was full of compliments for the France international defender. 

Van Dijk has largely been considered the best centre back in the English top flight since he made his move to Merseyside. However, after successive loan spells in France with Marseille and Saint Étienne, others have argued that Saliba is challenging the Dutch international defender for that crown. 

The ASSE academy graduate has been instrumental for the Gunners since he became a first-team regular at the Emirates. Under the management of Mikel Arteta, the Frenchman has formed an impressive partnership at the heart of the defence alongside former Lile defender Gabriel. 

Van Dijk was very complimentary of the centre-back’s performances for Arsenal whilst speaking to the former Manchester United and England defender, “Obviously Saliba’s making very good steps at the moment… I think if I’m honest when I was that age I was nowhere near where he is today and obviously, that’s the beauty of football as well.”