Forget Salah: Pundit amazed by Liverpool player with 'potential to be the best in the world'
Frank McAvennie insists Virgil van Dijk deserves more credit as Mohammed Salah steals the headlines after every Liverpool game.
The former West Ham hitman, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, is not surprised to see the defender in such good form.
On 13th August, it was announced Van Dijk has signed new terms that keep him at Anfield until 2025.
This came after he missed the majority of last season with an injury.
Two months on, Van Dijk has played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League campaign.
He has helped to keep four clean sheets with the Reds second in the table.
McAvennie insists he always knew the former Celtic defender would go on to be the "best in the world" in his position.
"Van Dijk hasn't lost anything, that contract was so well earned," McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
"When he was at Celtic, I said he needed to leave because he had the potential to be the best in the world.
"It was so easy for him up here. Sometimes he looked lazy and was criticised but he was strolling through games.
"Teams knew that, that's why Liverpool paid the big bucks for him. He is the best in the world in that position.
"It's so good to see him back. He looks even better than before. He suits the side so well. I still think he's underrated.
"The contract news through the summer was great to hear as well. Salah gets the headlines but this guy is huge."
Van Dijk has made 138 appearances for Liverpool since signing from Southampton.
He also has 13 goals to his name.