Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk must improve on his form with the Netherlands if he is to win the Ballon d'Or.

That is according to Dutch legend Ruud Gullit, who believes it is his displays with his country that prevent Van Dijk from being seen as among the best players in the world.

Many fans and pundits feel the centre-back would be a worthy Ballon d'Or winner, given his exploits with Liverpool in the past 18 months.

Speaking to Omnisport about Van Dijk at a golf event, Gullit said: "I think he did really, really well, especially with Liverpool. I think that he was the missing link for them.

"For the national team I still think he needs to be better than that.

"Not him only, but also [Matthijs] De Ligt because out of the last 14 games, 10 games we've been 1-0 down. If you have such a good defence you don't need to concede these goals all the time."