Virgil van Dijk was full of praise for one Manchester City player in particular.
The Liverpool captain has widely been regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world since his move to Anfield in 2018.
Van Dijk has also played against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side throughout his time at the club.
Not many players in the Premier League have a better understanding of why this City team is as special as it is than the Dutch skipper.
The 33-year-old has played against several different strikers at the Etihad Stadium; Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
Virgil van Dijk hails “unbelievable finisher” Erling Haaland
There have been some battles where Van Dijk and his Liverpool side have come out on top.
In other games, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have emerged as the victors.
Regardless, the former Southampton colossus has been a part of some of the most hardly-fought and pulsating contests against this great Sky Blues side.
The Champions League winner has also gone toe-to-toe with some of the best players in Premier League history.
In an interview with Amazon Prime Video Sport, Van Dijk claimed Haaland has everything in his game.
“I would say if you play against City, then [Erling] Haaland is an unbelievable finisher. He is strong, he is fast, he is everything, so if he gets the service, it’s a goal.”
The respect between both players is mutual as previously, Haaland admitted that Van Dijk is the toughest defender he has faced in the Premier League.
Haaland will be hoping to get the better of Van Dijk next season
In their meetings in the Premier League, Van Dijk has largely had the better of Haaland.
Barring the £375,000-a-week man’s strike in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium last season, he has yet to score in a game where the Reds legend has started during his time at City.
The Premier League winner’s brilliant reading of the game, imposing physical stature and textbook positioning has meant the Norwegian has struggled when going face-to-face with him.
Next season, Haaland will be determined to come out on top in his battles against Van Dijk when Manchester City and Liverpool face each other.
Considering the latter is aware of the former’s unique completeness, the 24-year-old has everything in the tank to give the titanic central defender a difficult outing.
