Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk makes the players around him better in the same way that Roy Keane did, according to Gary Breen.

The former Republic of Ireland defender was speaking to Off The Ball and was discussing who his Premier League player of the season was and he just couldn’t look past van Dijk.

“I think Henderson could quite comfortable win it. I don’t think it’ll be a fashionable vote but you have to identify what he’s done. He’s going to lift trophies that iconic Liverpool captains like Gerrard never lifted.

“He’s going to be in the same bracket as Graeme Souness now. That’s amazing in terms of being the driving force and it’s not just that. He’s not a cheerleader. He’s not that type of player.

“He’s actually really competing on that pitch and driving them forward. He got his goal yesterday and he got his assist as well from midfield in that advanced area. Now that Fabinho is back from injury it’s pushed Henderson forward.

“There are so many people to choose from but I would counter that by saying, and you know I’m going to say it. Take van Dijk out of that team and it’s not the same Liverpool team,” Breen said.

Comparisons between van Dijk and Roy Keane

While Breen didn’t say whether he thought the Liverpool player was the best centre-half to ever play in the Premier League, he didn’t rule out the possibility if he continues his fine form.

“I think he’s got the potential to be, there’s no doubt about that. If you’re going to talk about longevity in terms of what Rio Ferdinand did in terms of all the titles he won. Obviously John Terry. You can talk about the iconic Arsenal defences.

“But I think in isolation, in terms of what he can do, I don’t see that Terry has his pace… I don’t see that Rio Ferdinand has his physical dominance… he’s just got the complete package. He really has.

“I would argue that he’s the type of player that makes the other players around him better. I never really experienced that in my career.

“The only person who’s ever done that is Roy Keane. He made average players better. In fact, he made very brilliant players at Manchester United better. Van Dijk’s doing that at Liverpool,” Breen commented.

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