Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann has backed centre-back Virgil van Dijk to handle Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku when the clubs meet in the Premier League this weekend.

United welcome the visit of fierce rivals Liverpool as the two sides continue their battle to finish in the top four of the English top flight, and former Reds midfielder Hamann has claimed that Van Dijk has enough ability to cope with powerful frontman Lukaku at Old Trafford.

"I think he will [be able to compete with Lukaku]. He is probably as tall as him, think he's probably as quick as him, and I don't think van Dijk minds a physical challenge," said Hamann, according to Goal.com.

"You know you can never keep him out the game for 90 minutes Lukaku, because he is just too powerful and too quick and too strong for that. But I think Van Dijk will stand up to that challenge.

"The less service you give Lukaku, or the less you can stop the people giving service to Lukaku the better."

Defender Van Dijk joined Liverpool for a record fee of £75m during the January transfer window.