Virgil van Dijk has gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City on several occasions over the years.
As a result, the Liverpool skipper knows how brilliant City’s players are more than most.
Van Dijk called Phil Foden an “unbelievable player”, having faced the Englishman for years now.
Another player who he held in high esteem was Sergio Aguero, with Van Dijk calling him a “handful” after having locked horns with him at both Liverpool and Southampton.
Virgil van Dijk names Erling Haaland as one of his toughest opponents
Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders in Premier League history and him raving about a player suggests how much quality they genuinely possess.
Despite Manchester City and Liverpool having intense battles on the pitch since the start of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s rivalry, it has seemed like both sets of players have mutual respect for each other.
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When asked by the PFA on their TikTok live stream about which strikers he finds the toughest to play against in the Premier League, Van Dijk mentioned Erling Haaland among a few more names, saying: “Haaland, [Alexander] Isak, [Ollie] Watkins, Harry Kane.”
Erling Haaland celebrates his goal during Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
“Obviously, we’re speaking about the last couple of years in the Premier League, there are plenty there.”
Erling Haaland’s record vs Van Dijk
However, Haaland raved about Van Dijk as well by naming him as his most challenging opponent in the Premier League.
Both players have gone toe-to-toe with each other eight times.
ERLING HAALAND’S RECORD VS VIRGIL VAN DIJK
GOALS 3
ASSISTS 0
MATCHES 8
WINS 1
DRAWS 2
DEFEATS 5
Haaland, who Troy Deeney called “remarkable” has scored just once in these games while not having registered a single assist.
Winning just once in eight matches while drawing two and losing five, it’s safe to say that the Champions League-winning centre-back has got the better of him so far.