Why Van Dijk's 'Another Level' Performance Surprised Reds Boss Slot

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has impressed Reds manager Arne Slot, who describes the defender as being on "another level."

The 33-year-old, now in the final six months of his contract, marked his 300th appearance for Liverpool in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town.

Since joining the club eight years ago, the Dutch centre-back has won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and two League Cups.

Despite uncertainty surrounding his future, Van Dijk has played a key role in leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, the Champions League last 16, and the Carabao Cup semi-finals this season.

"Everybody here in England would tell you that Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world," Slot told Gary Lineker in an interview for Football Focus.

"In Holland, he received a bit more criticism than he does in England. I was, in a very positive way, surprised by how good he was on the ball and how he played through the lines.

"From the first day, I thought, 'Wow, this is definitely another level than what I'm used to.' But people in England were already accustomed to this."