Liverpool player Virgil van Dijk has waxed lyrical about Arsenal's William Saliba.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

'Nowhere near' - Virgil van Dijk sends William Saliba message Arsenal supporters will love

by · football.london

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has praised Arsenal defender William Saliba as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old France international has been a key pillar of the Gunners' title challenges in recent seasons since returning from a season-long loan spell at Marseille in 2022.

Over the last two seasons, Saliba has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel. Last season, the duo helped Mikel Arteta's squad concede the fewest number of goals (33) in the Premier League, as they finished two points behind champions Manchester City.

And Van Dijk, who has helped Liverpool win the Champions League and Premier League since signing for the club in a £75m deal in January 2018, believes the Frenchman is developing into the complete defender in north London.

"Well obviously Saliba is making very good steps at the moment," Van Dijk told Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel when asked for his view on the current crop of Premier League defenders. "Yeah, he's the first one I have in mind. He's a solid one, in possession I think he's doing a good job.”

When asked if the Saliba reminded him of himself, however, Van Dijk admitted he was nowhere near the level of the Frenchman when he was 23-years-old and plying his trade with Celtic.

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"Yeah, maybe," replied Van Dijk when asked about comparisons between the two, adding: "I think, if I'm honest, when I was that age I was nowhere near what he is today. That's the beauty of football."

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