What Premier League chief scout told manager about Virgil van Dijk in 2014

Virgil van Dijk is considered by many to be the best defender in the Premier League.

Some have even suggested the Holland international is close to being the best centre-back in the world, and after watching the 27-year-old in action its easy to see why.

Since his £75million move from Southampton to Liverpool, Van Dijk has only improved. He’s the piece of the puzzle the Reds were missing, and this season Jurgen Klopp’s squad is far more organised in defence.

As a result Liverpool are genuine title challengers this campaign, they’re currently unbeaten in the Premier League, and have conceded 13 goals less then they had at the same time last season.

Van Dijk’s move to Liverpool was a long time coming, following his move to the Premier League from Celtic back in 2015.

But incredibly, Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has revealed the Dutchman could have moved to England a whole year earlier when he was being trailed by Crystal Palace – the club he was in charge of at the time.

What’s more, Van Dijk would have only set the south London club back a measly £6million.

Speaking about Van Dijk to the press ahead of the Bluebirds’ clash with Liverpool this weekend, Warnock said: “I’m delighted he’s playing like he is. We could have bought him at Palace for £6 million.”

Warnock explained how Palace had scouts watching the centre-back, but after a briefing the chief scout decided he was lacking in one key area and that he wasn’t the right player for them.

“My chief scout told me he was too slow,” added Warnock. “I think he’s still in a job as well!”

Warnock also discussed Liverpool boss Klopp ahead of the match.

“I like the way he is,” he said. “He cares, he is pbadionate. He pulls some faces, doesn’t he? He’s got everything really.

“It must be lovely being in charge of a team like that but he’s created it. They haven’t always been like that. He saw what weaknesses there were and he’s shored them up.

“He’s an exceptional manager. We’re very lucky to have the managers that we have in what is the best league in the world.”