Borussia Dortmund and Norway star striker Erling Haaland believes Liverpool man Virgil van Dijk is ‘the best defender’ in world football.
In an interview to TV2 ahead of Holland’s game against Norway in which Van Dijk will be tasked with keeping the 20-year-old attacking sensation in check, Haaland lavished huge praise for the Anfield hero’s ability at the back.
“I think he is the best defender. I think quite a few others in the room agree with me on that.”
“He is fast, strong and smart, and there are three important things you must have. I have played against him twice.
“I have said that he is the best I have met. He is a good player, so we have to try to play around him.”
Van Dijk returned to the pitch in pre-season in what was a major boost on the squad selection front for the Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who had to manage things without his defensive colossus for the majority of the last campaign.
A long-term injury blow for Van Dijk had meant Liverpool were without the Dutchman since October 2020 but the ex-Southampton centre-back has returned in time for the new season’s start at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have got the 2021-22 Premier League campaign off to a great start with seven points out of their opening three games in league action with the recent outing against Chelsea finishing in a stalemate.
