Warnock reveals he declined chance to sign Van Dijk for £6m!

Warnock was manager of Crystal Palace at the time, and decided to pass up the chance to sign Van Dijk from Celtic for just  £6 million.

The Dutchman would later move to the Premier League with Southampton, and after a few impressive seasons on the south coast, commanded a world-record  £75m fee in January from Liverpool.

Van Dijk has blossomed under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp, and is now widely recognised as one of the Premier League's best defenders. 

And now, years later, Warnock has conceded what a big mistake he made during his time at Palace, having now seen what the Dutchman would become and accomplish. 

On the possibility of signing Van Dijk, Warnock said: "'I'm pleased Van Dijk is playing like he is because I think we could have bought him at Palace for £6m. But my chief scout said he was too slow. I think he's still in a job as well!"

Warnock raised a few eyebrows last summer too, as his comments comparing Van Dijk and Ivorian centre-half Sol Bamba had many people flabbergasted. 

However, after asking to revisit the remarks, Warnock said: "  I think I'd been drinking if I'm honest! What I meant was that if Van Dijk was in our team, you'd see if he was a good defender. He doesn't have to defend that much in Liverpool's team because they're usually in the other half."

Cardiff travel to Anfield this weekend to face high-flying Liverpool, and manager Warnock is under no illusions of the task ahead of his side. 

Warnock said: "I think the front three is probably the best in the world. We've all got to play at the top of our potential to give them a good game and hope they have an off day. It's a special place in football, a remarkable place, but I think we can go there and cause problems."