Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk would be a great partner for Joel Matip - Ferdinand

LIVERPOOL defender Joel Matip could have forged a successful partnership with Virgil van Dijk if he joined the club.

Given: Liverpool needed a plan B after failing to sign Van Dijk

That is the opinion of pundit and former Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand.

Southampton star Van Dijk was linked with a move to Liverpool throughout the summer transfer window.

However, Saints refused to sell the star, despite him handing in a transfer request.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp did not sign an alternative centre-back to Van Dijk and has seen his side suffer strong criticism defensively this season.

Liverpool news Virgil van DijkBT SPORT

Liverpool news: Virgil van Dijk would have been a great partner for Joel Matip, says Ferdinand

I think Virgil van Dijk would have improved this team no end

Rio Ferdinand on Liverpool

And Ferdinand believes Van Dijk would have been the answer to Liverpool's problems at the back.

“I think Virgil van Dijk would have improved this team no end,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

“He would have been that dominant centre-half and I think that alongside Matip that would have been a good partnership. 

“I think (Dejan) Lovren’s not good enough, he’s shown over a period of time that he makes too many mistakes. 

Liverpool news Joel MatipBT SPORT

Liverpool news: Joel Matip needs a better centre-back next to him, says Ferdinand

“(Alberto) Moreno defensively is not good enough.

“Going forward he is a delight to watch but defensively where you want him to be good first and foremost as a defender, he doesn’t do the job, he doesn’t quite cut it. 

“So if you’ve got two out of your back four not cutting it, you’re going to come unstuck.”

Van Dijk was an unused substitute for Southampton in their 1-0 loss to Manchester United yesterday.

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