Virgil van Dijk’s domination of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge “was like watching a man play against a little boy”, according to Jamie Redknapp.

Redknapp, who played for Liverpool and briefly Saints, was highly impressed by Van Dijk last night as the Saints central defender muted Sturridge in a commanding performance.

The England international striker is the top scorer in the League Cup with four goals, but couldn’t get past the Dutchman and his Saints backline, who have not conceded in the competition yet in four games.

"He (van Dijk) is immense. I say it every time I watch him, he just gets better and better. You know what it was like tonight, it was like watching a man play against a little boy with Daniel Sturridge,” Redknapp said.

“He bullied him all game. He never gave him a sniff."

Redknapp added: "Daniel Sturridge didn't do enough today. He didn't move around, he didn't have enough touches in the box. I know, he might be in there thinking, 'I didn't get the service.' But for great centre forwards, it doesn't matter, they don't need service, they make things happen for themselves and he didn't do enough today.

"At times he was on the periphery wasn't he? It was frustrating. Last year, when they won 6-1 here and I think it was Jurgen Klopp's first real look at him and he probably thought great, this is someone I could use and he has got so much pace."