Jurgen Klopp believes centre-back Virgil van Dijk could have another 12 years of football ahead of him - during which time Liverpool's imperious stopper could establish himself as the best defender in Premier League history.

Van Dijk has been one of Liverpool's outstanding performers in the Reds' rise to the peak of the Premier League.

But Liverpool go to Brighton on Saturday and Seagulls boss Chris Hughton believes the 27-year-old is not one of the best defenders in the history of the Premier League...yet.

Hughton believes that to be a Premier League great you have to do it over a long period, and those who have done just that are John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

“Is Van Dijk that level of player?" said Highton. "Yes, of course, he is. I’ve no doubt he is, when you look at the qualities he’s got.

“But those other players have done it over a long period. So if you’re talking about an influence on our game and history, then those players have done it for a longer time and Van Dijk hasn’t yet."

At just 27, Van Dijk’s best years are still very much so ahead of him and Klopp continued: “Virgil - he is a centre-half so he can play to, I don't know, 39 or so – but there is a lot to come and if he then looks back and everyone is saying he is the best centre-half in Premier League history then he did a lot of good things during his career.”

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Van Dijk has captained Liverpool five times this season and Klopp added: “He has outstanding potential, he is a fantastic person, is physically strong, has all the technical things you need, and so many things were already good and many things he can improve,”

The Netherlands skipper has yet to miss a Premier League game for the Reds this season.

With four years left on his current deal at Anfield, Klopp insists that there are more important matters to worry about rather than discussing his Premier League legends status.

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“I don't have to judge him now and compare him to other players in the past," said Klopp. "What is important he is fit, which helped him a lot because he can stay on track.”

Liverpool travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday to play Brighton and Hove Albion (3pm).

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