AC Milan legend Franco Baresi believes that Liverpool have grown as a team thanks to Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutchman is clearly having the best season of his career with Liverpool, thwarting any danger that comes his way.

The Reds are two points ahead of Manchester City – who have a game in hand – in the Premier League table and a slight slip-up from Pep Guardiola’s men could fetch Liverpool a maiden title of the modern era.

His performance for Liverpool has earned a lot of praise from top players and managers so far, but words from the legendary Baresi surely carries more weight than the rest.

Baresi spoke highly of the 27-year-old and Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt. Although, he was not ready to make any comparisons across different eras.

Baresi told AFP: “It is difficult to make comparisons. I like Van Dijk and De Ligt, they are both very strong and very athletic.

“Liverpool have grown hugely as a team recently and a lot of that is thanks to Van Dijk.”