Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster rates Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk among the greatest of all time.

Foster has defended Van Dijk, who has struggled since suffering a knee injury almost two years ago.

"Some people would say about longevity, but I still think in the whole pantheon of centre-backs, this guy stepped the game up a little bit, I really do," Foster told his Fozcast podcast.

“Virgil van Dijk. I think for three years in a row, he was the best centre-back in the world. He had a bad injury and is probably still finding his feet from that.

“Virgil van Dijk, peak of his powers, is the best defender that has ever lived. I genuinely believe that. When Liverpool are winning the Champions League and Premier League, Virgil is the number one.

“People have just got short memories and the cruciate ligament injury has probably taken a yard of pace off him."