‘Unique’ Liverpool star Van Dijk is ‘100 per cent player of the year’ claims Man Utd legend Neville
Despite Liverpool shelling out £75m to make him the world's most expensive defender, it's starting to look like a snip
GARY NEVILLE says Liverpool star Virgil Van Dijk is "one hundred per cent player of the year".
The centre-half put in another solid shift for the title-chasers as they defeated Southampton 3-1 after falling behind early on.
Despite Liverpool shelling out £75m to make him the world's most expensive defender when buying him from Southampton, it's starting to look like a snip.
With the likes of Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mane and Sergio Aguero enjoying superb seasons, the decision-makes have a tough call on who has been the Prem's best.
But according to Manchester United legend Neville, it's a done deal.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said: "Van Dijk has been absolutely outstanding.
He can head, his defending is brilliant, on the ball he's a joke. He passes the ball like a midfielder.
Gary Neville on Virgil van Dijk
"I remember looking back through my career at players like Jaap Stam, Gary Pallister, Rio Ferdinand... he (Van Dijk) is a player who makes everyone feel safe.
"He does the job of all four defenders. I think Sergio Ramos and Varane have been the best defenders in the world recently but there's no doubt he will be up there.
"He can head, his defending is brilliant, on the ball he's a joke. He passes the ball like a midfielder.
"One hundred per cent he is the player of the year.
"I don't think anybody has even got close to him."
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Mohamed Salah ended his goal drought in sensational style as Liverpool reclaimed top spot in the Premier League by coming from behind to beat relegation-threatened.
Egyptian forward Salah ran from inside his own half to find the net for the first time in nine games, 10 minutes from time, to help the title-chasing Reds move two points ahead of rivals Manchester City.
Substitute Jordan Henderson tapped home a late third to seal the success after Naby Keita's first goal in English football cancelled out Shane Long's early opener for the in-form hosts.
