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Virgil Van Dijk has confirmed his status as the best defender in the world since his arrival in Liverpool, according to Leicester boss Claude Puel.
Puel headed Van Dijk during his one-year tenure as Southampton's 2016-17 campaign leader and then felt the central defender was among the best, although it was a bit difficult. the edges.
The Dutch international played a central role in the Premier League title in Liverpool, with the Reds ranking at the top of the Premier League standings only conceding 13 goals in 23 games.
Puel, who will face his former player when Leicester take on Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night, said playing in a top-notch squad had made full use of Van Dijk's potential.
"When I arrived in Southampton, he was of course a good player and I said at the time that for me he was the best defender in the world, but he was comfortable and had habits, "said Puel.
"At first, he liked to defend himself in depth and it was a pity that it was sometimes too easy.
"At first he was a little difficult to talk to and change and evaluate, he got angry, but step by step, he corrected things and improved his movements, his coverage and his defense with a cover and without risk.
"We know that all the big teams like to have possession of the ball high." The defenders must learn to defend with a lot of space behind them.To play in big teams, it's appearance they need and he is now a modern player, defender at a very high level.
"In Liverpool, he has taken another dimension, he's a fantastic player, and my feeling for him does not change with Liverpool, he's strong, powerful, fast, technical, he can play under pressure without a problem." Is fantastic.
"In Southampton he was the best defender in the world, but he confirmed it in Liverpool, I think."
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