Van Dijk Names Toughest Opponents
In a recent interview on The Rest Is Football podcast, Virgil van Dijk, the highly regarded Liverpool defender, revealed the four attackers who have caused him the most difficulty throughout his career.
Surprisingly, the list does not include Cristiano Ronaldo, a multiple Ballon d’Or winner.
Van Dijk on Facing the Best
Since joining Liverpool in 2018, Van Dijk has established himself as a world-class defender.
His presence has been instrumental in the club’s recent success, including a Champions League title in 2019 and a Premier League title in 2020.
During this time, he has come face-to-face with some of the most lethal attackers in the world.
The Chosen Four
When asked about his toughest opponents, VVD named a surprising list of four players, omitting the often-mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo.
Instead, he included Olivier Giroud, a former player for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The French striker joins Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Sergio Aguero on Van Dijk’s list of toughest opponents.
Explaining his choice of Giroud, VVD highlighted the striker’s ability to link up with teammates, specifically mentioning Eden Hazard during their time together at Chelsea.
He also acknowledged Giroud’s skill at holding the ball and scoring key goals against him.
Beyond the List
While Ronaldo was absent from Van Dijk’s list, the defender did acknowledge the talents of other top attackers.
He described Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as a “very difficult opponent” due to his strength and direct style of play.
Similarly, he praised Sergio Aguero for his finishing ability and constant threat, even though Aguero did not score many goals against Liverpool.
Also reports on Sports Buddy stated Jamie Carragher asserting a significant claim about Virgil van Dijk in comparison to Erling Haaland.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher praises Virgil van Dijk, naming him a superior center-back to Erling Haaland as he secures the player of the match award in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
