4 takeaways from Virgil van Dijk interview including career plan and William Saliba admission

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk offered some interesting insight this week while speaking to Rio Ferdinand, including on what he wants to do when he hangs up his boots.

Appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Van Dijk also spoke about his biggest rivals and about William Saliba, the Arsenal defender who is showing some signs that he could one day take over from the Dutchman as the leading player in his position in the world. Here are the four main takeaways Liverpool.com found from the interview...

What he thinks about comparisons to Rio Ferdinand: "I don't think you can compare players that play in this era with players who played in eras from 10 years or 20 years ago," Van Dijk said. "I think you all have to respect what they did in their time. That's how I see it.

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"I respect what you did in your time, I respect what Fabio Cannavaro and Paolo Maldini did in their times. I've only got respect because there's no point to compare because you have no idea."

Liverpool.com says: In time, there is no doubt whatsoever that Van Dijk's name will be spoken about in those terms. Sometimes, you have to lose a player of his quality to really see the true level of his work. He will go down as one of the best players in Liverpool's history, even if he was never going to say that himself.

What he will do when he stops playing soccer: "I said no [to punditry] but that's also because coming to this hectic, busy, on-it life that my family is sacrificing a lot, my wife and my kids, to then have a year off or two years off and then going back into it... I don't think I see it happening, but never say never.

"I really feel like I definitely will give something back to football. I love working and seeing younger players out there. I like going, for example, to the Liverpool Academy to watch the under 11, 12, 13. The other day I watched the little tournament on the 16s, if I'm correct, and just a couple of games, but also because of the joy, it's just nice to see."

Liverpool.com says: Seeing Van Dijk as a coach would be interesting. He would be really interesting as a pundit as well, though taking some time to be with his family first would be understandable.

Who his toughest opponent has been with Liverpool in the Premier League: "I would say in this case then the City and Arsenal, especially from last year, it's always tough against them. You know that if you're not focused for a second or slip up or whatever, you could get punished immediately."

Liverpool.com says: Saying a team rather than an individual sums up Van Dijk. No player has ever consistently got the better of him! Manchester City and Arsenal will both be the main title rivals this year.

What he thinks of William Saliba, who is being compared to him: "Obviously, Saliba's making very good steps at the moment. He's the first one I just have in mind now. He's a solid one. I think in possession, he's doing a good job.

"Yeah [he reminds me of myself], maybe. I think, if I'm honest, when I was that age, I was nowhere near where he was today. Obviously, that's the beauty of football as well. I like to watch other defenders and pick up so many stuff from them. There are so many good ballplayers and center-halves."

Liverpool.com says: Saliba is an excellent player but he has a long way to go before he gets to Van Dijk's level of consistency in the biggest matches. In time, though, he could become the next edition of the Liverpool captain.