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Virgil van Dijk insists he’s more than ready to give Liverpool his opinion on Matthijs de Ligt, if the Reds are keen on taking the Ajax captain to Anfield.

The 19-year-old centre-back has had scouts flocking to the Johan Cruyff Arena in recent months, and is one of the most highly-rated young talents in European football.

Manchester City and Barcelona are just two of the sides who have already registered an interest with Ajax, for a player who can already boast 11 caps for his country and over 90 club appearances.

And Van Dijk, the world’s most expensive defender, is a big fan of his international colleague.

"He is already very far, especially at that age,” he told De Telegraaf. "A good defender, good boy, calm, knows what he wants and hopefully he makes the right choice in his next step.”

(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)

De Ligt has matured fast in the last 18 months, having initially been handed an Oranje debut in March 2017 by former boss Danny Blind, with the then-17-year-old enduring a nightmare in a loss to Bulgaria.

He is now barely recognisable from that night, and De Ligt’s star is tipped to only ascend further.

(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images) (Image: Getty Images)

When asked if De Ligt’s next step could be Anfield, Van Dijk responded: "He will be on the list, because they have enough scouts at the club.”

Asked whether the best scout would be himself, given his position as the Ajax starlet's defensive partner and captain at international level, Van Dijk added: "No, but if they need my opinion at Liverpool, I'll give it.”

(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)

Given De Ligt's potential and Ajax's determination to get maximum value for both he and Frenkie de Jong should either depart, there are suggestions that the former could usurp Van Dijk as the most costliest defender on the planet.

"No, they will pay less for Matthijs," added Van Dijk. "The amount for me was very high, though. No, without craziness.

"It's just like that and if he ever becomes the most expensive defender, I'll be the first to congratulate him. "