Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar says Perr Schuurs is reminiscent of defensive predecessor Matthijs De Ligt.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old after a string of impressive displays for the Dutch side in the centre of defence.

Ajax have a long history of producing quality youth players and Schuurs appears to be the latest off the production line.

Speaking on BT Sport, Van Der Sar said that Schuurs has come into his own at the heart of Ajax's defence after gaining experience in the lower leagues.

He said: "We scouted him at a first division club, he looks very much like Matthijs De Ligt.

"They're the same age bracket but I think Matthijs is really, really world-class quality and Perr is taking his time.

"He had experienced in the second team in the second division. In the last year he's been steady for us and really looking like a player for us."

Van Der Sar's former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand agreed with the De Ligt comparisons.

The ex-England defender-turned-BT Sport pundit said Schuurs is set for a big future in the game after impressing in Ajax's Champions League group match against the Reds.

"We watched the game last time and he really impressed me," Ferdinand said.

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"I said at the time he reminded me a little bit of De Ligt, who they sold to Juventus.

"He was strong, an imposing defender who read the game very well. Once he gets his big legs going, he goes out there and is very determined.

"He’s assertive, he understands when to go in and make his tackles.

"Speaking to the guys there like Edwin van der Sar and the others that work for the club, they’ve got high hopes for this lad and that’s why they weren’t too concerned when De Ligt went.

"They know what they’ve got coming through, they’ve got a conveyor belt of talent and he’s another one off that line."