Jude Bellingham has hailed Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool beat Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday.
The Netherlands international headed home the winner in the 119th minute to settle the clash, preventing a dreaded penalty shootout in the process.
Van Dijk was immense for Liverpool on the day. In addition to his goal, he also had an earlier header controversially disallowed.
It was a performance that shows why the centre-back is considered one of the best players of his generation.
And Bellingham was blown away by the 32-year-old, making his feelings clear on social media.
The Real Madrid star, who was tracked by Liverpool prior to his summer switch to the Bernabeu, commented on Van Dijk's Instagram post after the game.
"What a player," he said.
Van Dijk was given the man of the match award as a result of his brilliant performance at the back.
But the Liverpool star said afterwards that he felt the accolade should have to goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher instead.
Kelleher made huge saves to deny the likes of Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher as his team battled his way to victory.
And Van Dijk said: "He should have got it. I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I think.
"I have always said he is world class and he stepped up today, again. It’s good to see.
"He’s a good boy, good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool."
Van Dijk is also hoping Liverpool can add more trophies to their collection by the time Jurgen Klopp leaves at the end of the season.
"I won't speak too soon, but hopefully we can win a few more," admitted the former Southampton star.
"The talk about it being Klopp's last season is not from within the squad, that is from the outside."
"[It means] So much. All the young boys on the pitch, in extra time. It's incredible, I'm so proud of the team.
"[It was] an intense game for both sides, they had chances we had chances. Amazing.
"First trophy as Liverpool captain, it's all for the fans so let's enjoy it."
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Jude Bellingham has hailed Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool beat Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup
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Klopp, meanwhile, lavished praise on Van Dijk and said the Netherlands international had been 'absolutely outstanding' from the minute he arrived.
"I love talking about my players. I really love it," said the 56-year-old.
"Virgil van Dijk from the first day since he stepped into Liverpool FC is absolutely outstanding."
He also said: "It is absolutely insane, these things are not possible.
"Besides a team, a squad, the academy...it's full of character. It's unbelievable what happened here tonight.
Virgil van Dijk was the hero for Liverpool in their Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea
GETTY
"I am so, I don't feel it often, but I am so proud of that I could be part of that tonight. Wow.
"How we played...the crazy stuff is we deserved it. We had lucky moments, they had lucky moments, that's fine because it was a tough game, 20 minutes crazy.
"And the boys showed up. It was really cool."
