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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Michael Owen takes things further when asked to compare Virgil van Dijk and Rio Ferdinand

Michael Owen has described Liverpool stalwart Virgil van Dijk as the "best centre-half of all time" - while standing next to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.

Many regard Ferdinand as one of the greatest defenders to ever grace the game, with the ex- England international winning the Premier League six times while at Old Trafford. Van Dijk, in comparison, has lifted the league just once but is widely touted as one of the finest centre-backs to play in the English top-flight.

Owen was speaking ahead of Liverpool 's Champions League semi-final second-leg clash away at Villarreal in which they boast a 2-0 head-start. Van Dijk captained the Reds in the absence of Jordan Henderson - a testament to how much Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp trusts his defender on the biggest stages.

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