Former Netherlands midfielder Ruud Gullit has said that Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk is the key reason that Liverpool have surpassed Manchester City in the Premier League.

Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League having dropped just two points this season, after missing out on winning the title last season by just one point to City.

Speaking to Omnisport, Gullit said: "A lot of teams don't defend well. So, with Van Dijk, that was an issue that was done [solved]. Van Dijk was an example that I was right in Holland. If I say you have to learn how to defend people say, 'You're always with the defending' and things like that.

"But that's where it all started. Now they say you're right, [you can have success] if you have a good defender, and the good thing is it was a Dutch defender."

Van Dijk arrived at Liverpool from Southampton in 2018 and has made 107 appearances, scoring 11 goals.

The 28-year-old has also earned 33 caps for the Dutch national team and was named captain in March 2018.