Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has included Chelsea duo Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger amongst his selections for the world's best defenders.

The Dutchman is widely considered as the finest player currently playing his position.

However, van Dijk insists there are a number of top quality stoppers in world football.

"There's so many good defenders out there," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.

"The old guys, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Gerard Pique. The game has evolved and defending is different.

"If you look at Laporte and Rudiger. I think he had a fantastic season last year and the way he came back from a knee injury, I have even more respect for him now."