Owen ranks Van Dijk as best ever but admits Liverpool star needs more trophies

Michael Owen has stated his belief that Virgil van Dijk is the best central defender of all time, though admitted the Liverpool star needs to win more trophies to confirm that status.

Van Dijk has been an integral part of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool team since making a £75million move to Anfield in January 2018. The Dutchman is widely regarded as one of the best defenders currently operating in Europe, having helped the Reds to win the Premier League and Champions League in successive seasons.

And Owen, who helped Liverpool to win the FA Cup and UEFA Cup during his time at Anfield, has now gone a step further than many pundits. But with Van Dijk having won only three major trophies with the Reds, Owen believes he needs to add more to his cabinet to be fully recognised as one of the greats.

"I’d go further and say he’s the best centre-half of all time. He probably scored a few more goals, we’re not talking much because we’re talking about the greatest here. Rio was the best centre-back I had ever played with," Owen told BT Sport.

"Van Dijk, as a centre-forward I look at him and think ‘what do you do against him?’ He’s bigger, faster, stronger than everyone, he’s brilliant on the ball, scores goals, I’ve never seen anything like it.

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"The only thing that goes against him at the moment is his winners' medals. One league, one Champions League. People like Rio, Maldini, Baresi, people you consider as the greatest have numerous so, that’s the only thing. As a one-off, I think how can you get any better than him."

Van Dijk has the chance to win those trophies as the 2021/2022 campaign enters its final month. Liverpool are still in the hunt for the Premier League title, sitting just a point behind leaders Manchester City and have reached the final of the FA Cup.

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