Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has his fair share of admirers, and now football pundit and ex-footballer Jamie Redknapp has described him as the best centre-back in the Premier League.

Redknapp made the claims after watching the Dutchman keep Liverpool’s attacking talent quiet during the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.

Daniel Sturridge was selected as the focal point for Jurgen Klopp’s team on Wednesday night, but he barely got a look in thanks to Van Dijk, who ended up on the winning side of the 1-0 scoreline.

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The defender has been linked with a move away from St Mary’s in the summer following consistently impressive displays in the top flight this season.

He has missed just one of the 20 league games played so far, and has made 28 appearances in all competitions so far under head coach Claude Puel.

Van Dijk, who joined the Saints from Celtic in 2015, has even contributed with goals, scoring two in the Europa League, one in the FA Cup and another in the Premier League.

It remains to be seen whether the defender will be a Southampton player next season, but Redknapp believes that he is the league’s best right now. He told told Sky Sports:

"He's immense, I say it every time I watch him. He gets better and better. It was like watching a man play against a little boy in Daniel Sturridge, he bullied him all game.

"He never gave him a sniff. He's got the after-burners, he's so comfortable on the ball. Whoever decides to buy him, he is a fantastic player. There's not a better centre-back in the Premier League.”

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