Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Arsenal’s William Saliba is way ahead of where he was at the same age.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Alexis Mac Allister during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Alexis Mac Allister during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Following Liverpool’s match against Arsenal last weekend, goalscorer Virgil van Dijk has admitted that although he and William Saliba are similar players, the Arsenal man is further ahead in his career at the same age.

“Yeah, maybe [he’s similar to me],” van Dijk told Rio Ferdinand’s podcast (via Liverpool.com). “You know, I think if I’m honest, when I was that age, I was nowhere near where he was today.

“And obviously that’s the beauty of football as well. You know, I like to watch other defenders and pick up so many stuff from them. There are so many good ball-players.

“Obviously, Saliba is making very good steps at the moment. You know, he’s a solid [defender]. You know, I think in possession he’s doing a good job.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates at full-time during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates at full-time during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Saliba is currently 23 years old, with his next birthday in March 2025. At that stage of van Dijk’s career, he was playing for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, yet to even move to Southampton, let alone Liverpool.

The centre-back did win the league with Celtic, but most would accept that winning the Scottish Premiership with Celtic doesn’t compare to winning trophies in England when it comes to difficulty or prestige.

Of course, van Dijk went on to win everything with Liverpool, so Saliba has a long way to go to match his counterpart’s career.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain is challenged by William Saliba of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain is challenged by William Saliba of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Saliba and van Dijk didn’t get to face off against each other last weekend, with the Arsenal man serving a suspension.

Perhaps one of the hallmarks of youth is picking up the occasional silly red card, but van Dijk can’t say too much about that right now. The Dutchman himself was sent off in his last international fixture.