Brighton boss Chris Hughton says Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk can be compared with the game's greats.

But Hughton believes the Netherlands international must sustain his form over a longer period of time to cement a place among the division's all-time greats.

Asked if Van Dijk deserves to be talked about in the same breath as the likes of John Terry, Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand, Hughton replied: "Is he that level of player? Yes, of course, I've no doubt he is when you look at the qualities he's got.

"The other players we've mentioned have done it over a long period. If you're asking me if he's at their level as a player, then the answer is yes.

"But if you're talking about an influence on our game and the history they have, then of course they've done it for a longer time and he hasn't."