Liverpool and Manchester City are set to lock horns this weekend in a game that could define the course of the Premier League title race.
The Reds are already nine points clear of the reigning champions and could open up an 11-point lead at the summit if they manage to get three points at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk has returned to his imperious best this season and will look to keep the Manchester City attackers quiet on Sunday.
But the Liverpool captain believes Pep Guardiola’s side have a player who can really hurt the Reds.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk talks up battle with Erling Haaland
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC controls the Ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Mad...
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Unlike Liverpool, Manchester City are in a bit of a rut and are winless in their last six games across all competitions, which is unchartered territory for a Pep Guardiola team.
Erling Haaland, however, has been in fine form this season and is the leading scorer in the Premier League with 12.
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Van Dijk feels the towering Norwegian has all the tools to hurt Liverpool as he singled out his standout qualities for special praise ahead of the game at Anfield.
“Every striker has different qualities in terms of strengths and weaknesses,” said Van Dijk on Optus Sport’s YouTube channel.
“We all know how much quality he [Erling Haaland] has – strong, fast and a good finisher as well.
“He can punish you in any second and he scores so many goals for a reason. We have to be very good to keep him quiet and that’s what we aim for.”
Erling Haaland’s record vs Liverpool
Since joining Manchester City in 2022, Haaland has been the most consistent goalscorer in world football, but his record against Liverpool doesn’t make for good reading.
He has scored just twice – once in the Premier League – against the Reds in six appearances for Man City, which is a sign that Van Dijk has often got the better of him.
Erling Haaland has scored the most goals vs the PL Big 6 since coming to England (16).
6 vs Man United
3 vs Arsenal
3 vs Tottenham
3 vs Chelsea
1 vs Liverpool
He is also second in assists in that time (7). pic.twitter.com/ycici8XM5l
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Haaland, however, scored against Liverpool while he was at Red Bull Salzburg when the two sides locked horns in 2019 at Anfield in a UEFA Champions League clash.
Man City need their big striker to show up more than ever, but with Liverpool in such fantastic form, it remains to be seen if he gets his name on the scoresheet on Sunday.
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