Virgil van Dijk claim made after Liverpool defender compared with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand

Michael Dawson has described Virgil van Dijk as a ‘Rolls-Royce’ and hailed the freedom the Liverpool defender affords his teammates.

The Dutchman was injured for most of last season and the Reds struggled in his absence before eventually rallying to finish third in the Premier League.

However, this season Van Dijk has been in imperious form and a cornerstone of Liverpool’s quest for silverware on multiple fronts.

The 30-year-old produced another commanding performance in Saturday’s 3-1 over Norwich, a result which coupled with Manchester City’s defeat to Tottenham reignited the title race.

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The Reds now trail Pep Guardiola’s side by six points with a game in hand, Dawson paid tribute to Van Dijk’s display against the Canaries and claimed he has ‘everything’ to his game.

“He’s a Rolls-Royce, isn’t he? Van Dijk, Dawson told Sky Sports .

“I have been looking at the likes of Rio [Ferdinand] and John Terry growing up. But I think Virgil van Dijk has got everything.

“Honestly, he is big, strong and quick. We talk about defenders not wanting to get in wide areas. He can defend anywhere on the pitch on his own.

“That gives the opportunities, we see it with Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and [Andy] Robertson, they get the freedom to not worry about what is behind them.”