Chelsea hero Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink has claimed that Thiago Silva is better on the ball than Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.
The Blues were defeated 11-10 on penalties by the Reds following a 0-0 draw in Sunday night's Carabao Cup final which saw four goals disallowed from a combination of VAR checks and offsides.
Both Silva and van Dijk enjoyed colossal performances on the night, scoring their penalties during the shootout before Chelsea's substitute goalekpeer Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive spot-kick to hand Jurgen Klopp's side the trophy.
After the game, former Dutch international Hasselbaink has compared the two experienced centre-backs, claiming that former Paris-Saint Germain star is better with the ball at his feet than Liverpool's van Dijk.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Hasselbaink said: "Even when he’s under pressure he finds a solution.
"With his headers, always goes to the right colour. When he intercepts, his first pass is majority of the time forward and the team can break. Virgil van Dijk as well, I think Silva is a bit better on the ball - I do think so. I’m not saying that he’s bad, Silva is a little bit better on the ball.
"I think sometimes when van DIjk is under pressure he kicks it out while Silva wouldn’t, he finds a solution.
"I love Virgil van Dijk, I know you’re [Jamie Carragher] a Liverpool fan - I’m a football fan. Silva, top class. Van Dijk, top class. Silva, a little bit better on the ball."
Thomas Tuchel's side will need to pick themselves up quickly as they face Luton Town on Wednesday in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
