Former Barcelona assistant coach Henk ten Cate believes Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk should leave England for the LaLiga.

Ten Cate says Van Dijk should consider playing at a higher level than the new Premier League champions.

"It is up to him," said Ten Cate. "There has to be a new Barcelona and there is quite a bit of money there.

"He is the first one I would buy. Barcelona's Achilles heel is the defence."

Dutch great Marco van Basten thinks that a transfer to a top club in Spain would be a step higher for Van Dijk.

"I actually think Real Madrid and Barcelona are of an even higher level. But of course Liverpool is also the world best," he said.

"The biggest players still play in Spain. The top players, such as (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo, are going to Spain anyway.

"The players who win the Ballon d'Or are from Spain."