Man United ace turned social media star makes huge Virgil van Dijk Liverpool admission

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has dished out the highest praise to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. Foster, who also played in the Premier League for Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Watford, was speaking on the Fozcast when he made a glowing admission regarding the Dutch defender.

Foster said: "At the peak of his powers when he first signed for Liverpool, the best defender that's ever lived." The podcast guest and a former teammate of the Netherlands international, Shane Long, then chipped in with his take after playing with - at Southampton - and against the Liverpool man in his career.

The Irishman mentioned van Dijk's technical ability focusing on his ball-striking technique. Long said: "Virg used to lace a ball over the wall and in, it was incredible, I don't know how he used to do it."

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Long, who spent eight years with Southampton, added: "He was rapid, good on the ball and he dominated in the air as well. I knew we weren't keeping him for long!

"I played against him and I always used to try and go on the other centre-back... He had everything, he was strong as an ox, good in the air, but he was rapid and there was no real weak point to his game."

He finished by comparing only Vincent Kompany to van Dijk, but insisted scrapping with a defender proved easier than composed actions of the Liverpool man: "I didn't mind the hard ones; [Nemanja] Vidic, the guys who'd smash."

The 33-year-old is nearing the end of the current contract at Anfield and his current deal expires at the end of the 2024/25 season. As he approaches his 34th year, the Reds' board has a decision to make - offer van Dijk a new deal or allow him to leave on either a pre-contract agreement or a free transfer.

Despite him nearing his mid-thirties, van Dijk is still widely considered one of the best defenders in world football and he helped Arne Slot's men to victory at the San Siro on Tuesday evening. His 41st-minute header put Liverpool into the lead in northern Italy despite the Reds suffering an early set-back, falling behind just three minutes in.