Liverpool's defensive cornerstone, Virgil van Dijk, has shown admiration for Arsenal's William Saliba, stating that the

Van Dijk, in conversation on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, singled out Saliba when reflecting on defenders who have caught his attention. He noted, "Saliba is making significant strides at present. He's a reliable player and does an excellent job when his team has possession of the ball."

Van Dijk Recognizes Saliba's Potential in Podcast: 'Not at His Level Yet'

When Ferdinand inquired if Saliba's style of play is reminiscent of van Dijk's, the Dutch defender responded affirmatively, "Yes, perhaps. Honestly, at his age, I hadn't reached the level he's at now. That's the beauty of football; there's always something to learn from watching other defenders."

Van Dijk continued, "I enjoy observing other players, especially at the highest level, as you can glean valuable insights. Each team defends differently, and it's crucial to be mindful of that. For instance, we at Liverpool dominate possession, and as a left-sided center-half, I've played for many years. It's beneficial to learn from others' positioning and tactics."

"I believe you can always learn, no matter your age, and I continue to do so," van Dijk emphasized.

Regarding his future at Liverpool, van Dijk, who is 33 and sees his contract ending this season, is in negotiations for an extension. He stated, "Discussions are underway, but the future remains uncertain. My focus is solely on helping Liverpool win upcoming games. The rest we,'ll see."