Eamon Dunphy has likened Micky van de Ven to Virgil van Dijk after the Dutch defender reportedly rejected a move to Liverpool for Tottenham.
Speaking on The Strand, the former Republic of Ireland international lauded the 22-year-old centre-back, who since arriving in north London for £43m has been a revelation for Tottenham.
Liverpool were one of the many sides interested in signing Van de Ven this summer, yet it was Spurs who eventually won the race for the youngster’s signature, and what a coup it has been.

The defender has played a key role in Tottenham’s historic start in the Premier League under Ange Postecoglou, with Van den Ven forming a great partnership alongside Cristian Romero.
And it’s perhaps no real surprise that comparisons to Van Dijk are now starting, with Dunphy clearly a big fan of Van den Ven, who could have played for Liverpool instead of Tottenham.
Dunphy said: “Van de Ven, who is an outstanding centre-half, Dutch, got all the quality if you like that Van Dijk has, much younger of course, quick, very good on the ball, very good defender.”
Tottenham’s Van de Ven could replace Van Dijk at Liverpool

Van Dijk will one day need replacing at Liverpool, and Van de Ven could be the perfect answer if the Reds can somehow convince Tottenham to sell their new star defender.
At 22, the Dutch international is very much at the start of his Premier League career, and Liverpool would be a logical next step if Van de Ven one day wishes to depart north London.
Indeed, the former VfL Wolfsburg star has a big future ahead of him, and considering the history of the Tottenham, a move to Liverpool could be on the cards.
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