QPR defender, Conor Masterson, has stated that former team-mate, Virgil van Dijk, is one of the best players in the world after spending plenty of time with the Dutch centre-half at Liverpool.

Masterson spent over a year training with the defender during his time at Anfield, but in the summer his time at the Reds came to an end as he joined London side, QPR.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international never made a senior appearance for Jurgen Klopp's side but did manage to make the substitutes' bench on three occasions.

Masterson praised the work that Van Dijk did both on and off the pitch and was full of awe for the world-class defender.

Speaking to the Blood Red Podcast, Masterson said: "Virgil van Dijk is one of the best players in the world.

"You learn so much from him and there’s no disgrace in saying I couldn’t get in (the team) because of him because he is a top player. Just training with him, and with Joel Matip,  Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren, who are all top players, too, you just learn so much.

“You naturally get better and then you can start pushing them, and they see you getting better, and that’s how it works. Liverpool players like that have taught me how to defend and it will stand me in good stead at QPR.

"You learn so much from Virgil van Dijk and the way he does things. It’s the little things – things that people wouldn’t notice on the pitch, but because you’re training with him day in, day out, you learn these things, and you think, ‘ah, that’s what he does, that’s how he makes it look easy."

The Verdict

It's interesting to find out information like this, especially from someone who saw the ins and outs of a world-class player and his specific habits.

He would have picked up a lot from the defender, and those sort of qualities will help Masterson stand in good stead in his Championship career.

It'll be of notice to see how long it takes the defender to cement a place in Mark Warburton's QPR side, but with knowledge and an attitude like this, I doubt it will be long.