Jamie Carragher says Virgil van Dijk could be a Liverpool great like Alan Hansen

VIRGIL VAN DIJK could be a Liverpool all-time great alongside Alan Hansen, claims Jamie Carragher.

Van Dijk joined the Reds in January from Southampton for £75million - a world-record fee for a defender.

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He immediately made an impact on Jurgen Klopp’s side and helped them reach the Champions League final last season.

Carragher, who spent his entire career at Anfield making 508 appearances and winning the Champions League in 2005, admits he has been surprised at how good Van Dijk has been since his arrival.

He even reckons the Dutch international is now the best centre-back in the Premier League.

He said on Sky Sports tonight: “I did not see the impact (he has made).

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“I knew he was a good player, he’s better than I thought since he came in.

“Over the next three or four years, if Liverpool could win a league, a Champions League, something like that, I think Virgil van Dijk has got the potential to actually go down alongside Alan Hansen if you’re talking about Liverpool’s best ever teams.

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“I think that’s how good he is and how good he will become.

“They will have to be successful, of course they would.

“But that’s how big I think a difference that player has made.”

And After another outstanding in helping his side keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win against Crystal Palace, Carragher praised Klopp for his huge outlay on the towering Dutchman.

Carragher added: “Tonight is the reason, and maybe games in the future, why he (Klopp) spent £75M on Van Dijk."