Virgil van Dijk surprised many when he named a forgotten Liverpool player as the best teammate he has played with. Since his record-breaking arrival at the club in 2018 for £75 million, Van Dijk has established himself as one of the top centre-backs globally and a vital component of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

During his time at Liverpool, Van Dijk has been instrumental in the team’s success, contributing to victories in prestigious competitions such as the Champions League, Premier League, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, and the FA Community Shield.

Despite playing alongside numerous talented players, Van Dijk singled out a lesser-known teammate when asked about the best player he’s worked with.

This revelation has sparked curiosity among fans and raised questions about the player’s impact during his time at Liverpool.

During his tenure at Anfield, Virgil van Dijk had the privilege of playing alongside some of Liverpool’s most esteemed talents, including the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, when posed with the question of the best player he’s played with on The Rest of Football podcast, Van Dijk offered a surprising choice.

In conversation with hosts Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Van Dijk chose to highlight the contributions of Bobby Firmino, emphasizing the Brazilian’s pivotal role in the team’s success over recent years. Van Dijk praised Firmino’s ability to unify and elevate the performance of his teammates, particularly Salah and Mane, through their cohesive partnership on the field.

Van Dijk lauded Firmino’s defensive work ethic and highlighted the challenges he posed to opposing defenders, even in training sessions. Ultimately, Van Dijk credited Firmino for his significant impact on Liverpool’s triumphs and expressed admiration for the Brazilian’s contributions to the team’s collective success.

Van Dijk added: “But at the moment I’m playing with amazing players you know, Mohamed Salah, Alisson Becker and I won’t forget Joel Matip.

Van Dijk continued to praise Bobby Firmino, highlighting his invaluable contributions to Liverpool despite his current injury. He emphasized Firmino’s remarkable impact since joining the club as a free agent, acknowledging him as a key figure in the extraordinary era under Jurgen Klopp’s management.

Reflecting on Liverpool’s success during this period, Van Dijk expressed his admiration for each player who has played a part in the team’s achievements, emphasizing the collective effort and dedication that has defined this era.

When asked about the toughest opponents he has faced throughout his career, Van Dijk’s response is awaited, underscoring the challenges he has encountered against formidable opponents on the field.

Van Dijk identified four formidable opponents he has faced during his career: Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Sergio Aguero, and Olivier Giroud. Each player possesses unique qualities that have posed significant challenges for Van Dijk on the field, showcasing the diversity of talent he has encountered throughout his career.