VIRGIL van Dijk – the most expensive defender in the world – has vowed to help Nathan Ake make his name on the international stage.
Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool for £75million from Southampton in January, lined up against his fellow countryman at Anfield on Saturday.
The pair helped the Netherlands overcome Portugal 3-0 in a friendly in March as Ronald Koeman celebrated his first victory as manager of the Oranje.
Ake, 23, won his sixth senior cap in Geneva, while 26-year-old van Dijk, who captains the national team, was on the scoresheet.
Van Dijk told the Daily Echo: "Nathan is a great player and a great guy and I like him a lot.
"It is difficult to play against our attack but I know how good he can be. He is still young and can learn a lot.
"As captain of Holland, I hope for him to grow as a player and as a human being.
"I hope he can achieve as much as possible and, when we are with the national team, I can help him as well. He is doing very well and has so much potential."
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