Michael Owen was beaming after Liverpool came from behind to beat Villarreal 3-2 on the night and seal their place in the Champions League final for the third time in five years.
Speaking on BT Sport after the match in which Van Dijk played all 90 minutes, he made some bold claims about the centre-back.
"Listen, Van Dijk is the best centre-back on the planet right now," Owen said.
"I'd go further and say he's the best centre-half of all time.
"Rio Ferdinand was the best centre-back I had ever played with.
"With Van Dijk, as a centre-forward I look at him and think 'what do you do against him?'
"He's bigger, faster, stronger than everyone, he's brilliant on the ball, he scores goals. I've never seen anything like it.
"The only thing that goes against him at the moment is his winners' medals, as he has one Premier League title and one Champions League.
"People like [Rio] Ferdinand, [Paolo] Maldini, [Franco] Baresi, people you consider as the greatest, have numerous titles so, that's the only thing."
MadridMaldives
866
If Van Dijk is the best CB in history, my grandmother is the best GK of all time. 🤦♂️
puaadekmou
537
Ever heard of him??
Evans0323
484
You hardly hear such talk from Chelsea or Arsenal legends, it always come from Liverpool and Man U legends they talk too much
Daoaeinu
476
The Father of Center Back should be Ramos
Niwbdeklnu
448
Hee! stop it Van Dijk is not even up to Maguire standard😂
vaecelmnpy
429
I Prefer Not To Speak
Afy°
425
Stop smoking 🚬: Maldini , Puyol , Ramos , Cafu🔥, Maguire 🐐
Afy°
405
Maldini , Puyol , Ramos and G.O.A.T (Maguire) after the news 😂😅
Afy°
239
Future, G.O.AT of Defenders 🐐
puaadekmou
12
If Van Dijk is the best CB in history, my grandmother is the best GK of all time. 🤦♂️
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Beckenbauer is the greatest CB in history
Hocbdeikmp
8
Ever heard of him??
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yeah most of fans forget who this guy was ?? Father of Ramos.