Michael Owen heaped praise on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk when predicting the Reds’ Champions League semi-final against AS Roma.
The former Reds forward shared that he had been impressed by the 6f 3in tall centre-back this season when revealing that he thought Jurgen Klopp’s side would reach the Champions League final.
“I’m confident Liverpool will have enough (to overcome Roma),” said Owen in his column for the Daily Mail.
“Dzeko is at the top of his game but so is Virgil van Dijk, I’ve always thought that the size of him, his presence, strength and passing ability made him like two players, and he scores goals.
“With him, I’m not concerned with any striker in the world, he is colossal.”
The giant defender has featured 16 times for the Reds since arriving at Anfield from Southampton in January.
Klopp’s side are set to take on AS Roma in the Champions League semi-finals, with the first-leg of the tie taking place on Tuesday at Anfield.
OPINION
Owen also took time to praise Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino is his column for the Daily Mail, but those two players are always being showered with praise. While van Dijk is familiar with getting plaudits for his performances, Owen’s praise is next level. For the pundit to suggest that he thinks the 26-year-old centre-back can successfully deal with any striker in the world is a huge compliment. Van Dijk may have only made 16 appearances in a Reds jersey, but it’s clear that Owen is already convinced that the defender will lead his former club to success. Owen seems pretty confident that Klopp’s side will reach the Champions League final as he’s backing them to eliminate Roma, and supporters will love it if he is correct with his prediction.