Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, known for his towering presence in the Premier League, recently praised Arsenal’s William Saliba for his rapid development and skill on the field.

While van Dijk has long been hailed as one of the league’s premier defenders, the Dutchman didn’t shy away from acknowledging Saliba’s impressive growth, calling his progress “very good steps.”

A New Era in Defense?

Saliba, who joined Arsenal’s squad under Mikel Arteta, has quickly become a key player, earning his place in the Premier League Team of the Season for the past two years.

His consistent performances have fueled talk of him potentially reaching van Dijk’s level or even surpassing it as the league’s top center-back.

At just 23, Saliba is often seen as the next big name in defense—a title that van Dijk himself seems ready to pass on.

Van Dijk’s Take on Saliba’s Skills

In a conversation with Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, van Dijk shared that Saliba is the first defender to come to mind when thinking of promising talent.

“He’s solid,” van Dijk remarked, highlighting Saliba’s skill in ball possession and positioning.

This is high praise coming from van Dijk, who admits that Saliba is playing at a higher level than he himself was at that age.

Comparing Paths: Van Dijk’s Journey vs. Saliba’s

Looking back at his own career, van Dijk recalled playing for Celtic at 23, before moving to Southampton and eventually making a record-breaking transfer to Liverpool in 2018.

At Liverpool, he cemented his reputation as one of the world’s best defenders.

Reflecting on these milestones, van Dijk noted how impressive it is that Saliba, already a key figure in Arsenal’s defense, has achieved so much in a similar timeframe.

A Defender’s Eye for Detail

Van Dijk’s respect for Saliba’s growth isn’t just about stats. As a seasoned player, he’s attuned to the finer points of defending.

Van Dijk mentioned how watching other defenders, especially on top teams, has always helped him learn, adding that he admires Saliba’s knack for positioning in possession-based play.

Although Liverpool and Arsenal employ different defensive styles, van Dijk believes there’s always something new to pick up by observing how other teams defend.

Premier League Rivalry Intensifies

With Liverpool and Arsenal both competing fiercely in the league, the two defenders will be instrumental in their respective clubs’ quest for the title.

In their recent Premier League clash, Liverpool and Arsenal ended in a 2-2 draw, allowing Manchester City to pull ahead by a single point.

Currently, Liverpool holds second place while Arsenal trails behind, five points adrift.

For those wanting the full conversation, the Rio Meets Virgil interview is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, presented by Qatar Airways.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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