Former Italy international, Alessandro Nesta, has picked his choice of best defender in the world at the moment.

For him, Liverpool and Netherlands centre-back, Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the world.

Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2017 for a fee of £75million and has been at the heart of Reds success.

The 34-year-old has been an integral part of Arne Slot’s plans at Liverpool having signed a new contract at Anfield in April.

There are other good defenders in the Premier League such as Arsenal duo of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace has emerged as another world class operator for club and country.

Nesta’s country, Italy is known for producing some of the best defenders in the world.

Nesta said he has been impressed with how van Dijk has done likewise.

“For me, now van Dijk is the best,” Nesta said.

“The best, because he performs every year at the same level. He plays in the Premier League, the biggest league in the world, for me, and toughest so for me he is the best.”

Van Dijk is currently in the camp of Netherlands national team where he is playing his part in their push to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Canada, USA and Mexico.

‘He performs every year at same level’ – Nesta names best defender in the world