Rio Ferdinand accepts that Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world but the former Manchester United player thinks that Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos is still the man everyone else should look up to.
There's no doubt that Virgil van Dijk has transformed Liverpool. Before he moved from Southampton to Liverpool the Reds' defence was extremely questionable.
Jurgen Klopp wanted to bring in the Dutchman at the beginning of the 2017/18 season but had to wait till the January and the results were almost instant with the defender helping to sure things up.
This season the improvement has continued, also in part because of the addition of Alisson, and Klopp's side have only conceded 15 goals in the Premier League, the least in the league.
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That has led to people claiming that Van Dijk is now the world's best defender but, speaking to the Mirror, Rio Ferdinand explained why Sergio Ramos is still the number one.
"I'd still put Sergio Ramos there.
"Ramos, when the big games come up, the trophies are there to be won, he's normally standing there with his sleeves rolled up.
"He is not being shifted at the moment.
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"To be considered the best in the world, you have got to win stuff as well. You cannot just play well for your team and sit there as runner-up or coming third or fourth.
"That's why, when people talk about Player of the Year and you see they haven't won anything but they are the best player, I am thinking: 'How? You haven't influenced a team to win things.'
"You need to be part of a team that is winning to be considered like that. Virgil is a fantastic player, potentially the best in the world but, right now, no. And I'd think he would agree.
"Winning is an essential part of winning personal accolades. You have to win.
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"If Liverpool win the league it's legit, but it would feel odd if he is the best player and they have come second or third."
Of course that won't go down too well at Anfield, firstly because Ferdinand used to play for Liverpool's fierce rivals Manchester United, but mainly because he's picked Ramos.
The Real defender is the number one villain in the red half of Merseyside after he 'injured' Mo Salah in the Champions League final last year.
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Ramos won't be able to re-enact that this season as his suspension for the second leg of the Champions League last 16 against Ajax helped see the holders go out.
Who do you think is the world's best defender?
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Sergio Ramos, Manchester United, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Rio Ferdinand, Champions League, Real Madrid, La Liga