Virgil van Dijk has been utterly phenomenal for Liverpool this season.He’s a major reason behind their charge to the top of the Premier League table, wasting no time in establishing himself as a leader in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.The way he’s headed, Van Dijk could certainly become the first defender since Nemanja Vidic in 2011 to win the Premier League Player of the Season award.“I would go as far as to say that he is the best defender they have had in the Premier League era,” Rio Ferdinand said about the Liverpool centre-back in December, per Squawka.The £75 million that the Reds paid for Van Dijk is already looking like money well spent.Indeed, it will look like a bargain if Liverpool go on to win the Premier League title.But they need to get the job done. The narrative will change if Klopp’s side fail to land a major trophy.

Is Van Dijk the new Maldini?

And that’s why many fans aren’t ready to put Van Dijk up there among the greatest centre-backs in the history of the game just yet; he doesn’t have the silverware.

Van Dijk has just three honours to his name; two Scottish Premiership titles and the Scottish League Cup, won during his time at Celtic.

It’s what makes a tweet asking if Van Dijk is the new Paolo Maldini very easy to respond to.

NetBet posed the question on Twitter and AC Milan fan @FinallyAquino has gone viral with his response.

Recalling the incredible list of trophies that Maldini had won by the age of 27, which included three Champions League trophies, he’s well and truly shut NetBet down.

You’ve got a lot of catching up to do to be considered one of the true greats, Virgil.

He's already cementing himself as a hero among Liverpool supporters, though, and he can be guaranteed legendary status at Anfield if he helps deliver a Premier League trophy.