Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 6y

Southampton's Virgil van Dijk would suit Liverpool very well - Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt has told Sky Sports that Virgil van Dijk is a player who would suit playing at Liverpool.

Liverpool looked to sign Van Dijk in the recent transfer window before they had to publicly apologise to his club Southampton amid allegations of tapping up the Netherlands international.

Van Dijk played for the Saints in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday, and former Reds forward Kuyt is confident the centre-back would be a success at Anfield.

"I know Virgil. I didn't play with him in the national team but he's a great player," Kuyt, who retired from football in May, said. "We'll see how things will go in the winter break or at the end of the season.

"I don't think it's strange for me to say he is a player who will suit Liverpool very well. He has the right mentality and he is a great defender.

"He could do a great job at Liverpool but it's not for me to say if he would be an improvement or not. That's up to the club."

After missing out on Van Dijk and not signing an alternative in the summer, Liverpool have been heavily criticised for their defence this season.

Joe Gomez is currently one option for Liverpool at centre-back, having recently impressed there for England in a friendly with Brazil -- where he was named Man of the Match.

Kuyt believes the signing of fellow Dutchman Van Dijk would not stunt the development of 20-year-old Gomez, who has mainly been playing at right-back this season due to Nathaniel Clyne's long-term injury.

He added: "I think the Liverpool team now has great players, but if you want to be contenders for titles then you have to have more than 11 good players."

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