"I wouldn’t even compare the two" - Graeme Souness insists Liverpool superstar is 'a better player than' Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger
Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has claimed that Virgil van Dijk is a lot better defender in comparison to Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger. Van Dijk's future at Anfield has been subject to speculation, with the Dutchman entering the final year of his contract.
Souness, who spent six seasons at Liverpool as a player and three as a manager, has claimed that van Dijk could be leaving the Reds next summer. He has named Real Madrid as the potential destination for the Netherlands international.
The former Scotland international has insisted that Real Madrid is the only club where a player could aspire to move from Liverpool. The pundit said on William Hill’s Up Three Up Front podcast:
“Liverpool can’t let all three of Trent, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk leave. I could see Trent at Real Madrid, I could see Van Dijk there as well. The point being that if you’re leaving Liverpool then the only place you’d really want to go is Madrid."
Souness has also claimed that van Dijk remains a top defender despite being 33 thanks to his athleticism. He has insisted that the Liverpool skipper is head and shoulders ahead of Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger in every aspect. The Scotsman added:
"Van Dijk might be getting older but he’s an athlete. You can still get a couple more good years out of him. He’s a better player than what Real already have in the likes of Antonio Rudiger. He’s more of a footballer, he’s a better athlete, better in the air and better on the ball. I wouldn’t even compare the two.”
Van Dijk has been exceptional for Liverpool following his reported £75 million switch from Southampton in January 2018. He has established himself as one of the most complete central defenders of the modern era during his time at Anfield.
The Dutchman has made 273 appearances during his time at the Merseyside club and helped the club clinch eight trophies.
Rudiger, on the other hand, has been immense for Real Madrid having joined Los Blancos in 2022 on a free transfer from Chelsea. He has won seven trophies in two seasons for the Spanish capital club having become the cornerstone in Carlo Ancelotti's backline.
Liverpool midfielder opens up on his upturn in form under Arne Slot
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has revealed the reason behind his strong start to life under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman endured a mixed debut season under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but has been excellent for the Reds so far this season.
Gravenberch has excelled under his compatriot in a double pivot alongside Alexis Mac Allister and has played every minute across three games. On being asked about the reason behind his upturn in form, the 22-year-old told SoccerNews:
“There were sometimes matches in which I had only touched the ball once after five or six minutes. Then you don’t get into your game. Now, I get the ball more, then you get more comfortable.”
Liverpool secured Gravenberch's signature from Bayern Munich last summer in a deal worth a reported £34.2 million. However, he failed to break into Jurgen Klopp's starting XI and played only 1,848 minutes of football across competitions in the 2023-24 campaign.