Manchester United legend Gary Neville ‘worried’ by Virgil van Dijk as he compares Liverpool ‘monster’ to Jaap Stam
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville has revealed he is "worried" by Virgil van Dijk and even compared the Liverpool defender to Jaap Stam.
Van Dijk signed for Liverpool in a £75million deal in January as Jurgen Klopp desperately bid to shore up his leaky defence.
Since then the Reds have appeared to improve as a unit, even reaching the Champions League final last season.
But Neville has revealed he had no idea how good Van Dijk would be and even described him as a "monster" and very much "like Jaap Stam".
Neville said: "I thought Van Dijk was a good player at Southampton, but I didn't think he was worth £75m.
"I didn't think he would have the impact on Liverpool's defence that he's had.
"He's a monster, and is looking a bit like Jaap Stam, which worries me as a Manchester United fan. He just throws people out of the way."
Meanwhile, Neville has revealed he thinks Liverpool will be Man City's main rivals this season as the Reds desperately bid to bag their first-ever Prem crown.
The ex-United right-back said: "I think Liverpool are the side [City] will feel threatened by directly.
"Certainly in terms of the style of play, Liverpool have certainly got the measure of Manchester City. You can see that.
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"City like to push up the pitch, the centre-backs play high and even push in when they're attacking.
"The likes of [Sadio] Mane, [Mo] Salah, [Roberto] Firmino, if you leave space in-behind, they just cut right through you.
"I think directly there is a threat, and I think indirectly in terms of the bigger picture in the league too.
"Certainly with the signings they've made, the good feeling of getting into a Champions League final and finishing in the top four consecutive seasons is something where City will feel a threat.
"People are not feeling that way about Manchester United or Tottenham or Chelsea at this moment in time, because of what has happened in pre-season.
"So those teams will have work their way into City's thoughts.
"But there does seem to be a definite threat from Liverpool at this moment in time, but Liverpool will have to prove that."