Former Manchester United boss asks Matthijs de Ligt to snub Liverpool for his Champions League rivals

Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has urged his Dutch compatriot Matthijs de Ligt to snub Liverpool.

The Ajax defender enjoys an excellent reputation and has been badociated with a host of major European clubs, including the Reds.

But Van Gaal, who recently retired from management, thinks the young player should choose Barcelona, ​​the giant La Liga, or the rival of the Premier League title in Liverpool.

De Ligt played Wednesday night for the Amsterdam club, which drew 1-1 with Juventus in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The captain, aged 19, went to Bernabeu at a famous 4-1 defeat of Real Madrid.

But Van Gaal's reasoning may be a bit of a complaint for Jurgen Klopp's current backline.

He thinks that Barcelona or Manchester City would be better destinations for De Ligt – as their central defenders are "not too good".

The Dutchman admitted: "If I had the chance, I would go to Barcelona.

"They have central defenders who are not very good, so he will play there, or I will go to Manchester City.

"I do not think central defenders are so good either, so he'll play there too."

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Ligt sent Liverpool fans into a transfer frenzy last month when he hinted that there would be a possible change in Anfield.

The center-center was questioned about the possibility of joining his compatriot Virgil van Dijk, defense partner of the Netherlands.

In a video, the graduate of the academy of Ajax told Goal.com"It could happen, he's playing Liverpool, a good club, but I'm not focusing on them, I'm focusing on Ajax and then I'll see where I'm coming.

"Virgil is a player who has experience in the best leagues.Of course, you would like to learn from him.It is very helpful to play alongside him in the Dutch team."