“I don’t think I won one duel against him” – Erling Haaland names the toughest defender he has ever faced 

“I don’t think I won one duel against him” – Erling Haaland names the toughest defender he has ever faced

Borussia Dortmund star striker Erling Haaland Haaland has named Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk as the toughest defender he has ever faced.

The Norway international has clashed with the Dutchman on multiple occasions across both club and international levels and has been full of praise for the center-back.

Erling Haaland centered on the powerhouse’s immense physicality, strength, pace, and precision, among other qualities that make him stand out from other defenders he’s faced.

The Borussia Dortmund Talisman spoke about Dijk, as per ESPN: “You know how tall he is, how strong he is and how fast he is, and also the timing is crazy. I don’t think I won one duel against him because he’s a physical monster.”

This isn’t the first time Erling Haaland has hailed the Liverpool center-back as the best defender he’s faced. He made a similar comment before the duo’s battle as Denmark and the Netherlands clashed in the World Cup Qualifiers in September last year.

“I do not really fear anyone, I think he [Van Dijk] is the best defender,” the Borussia Dortmund striker told a press conference.

“I think quite a few others in the room [at the press conference] agree with me on that. He is fast, strong, and ‘bad’ 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 added.

Liverpool have long been linked with the 22-year-old, along with Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

In other news, Liverpool fans react to goalkeeper Alisson’s “exceptional display” against Crystal Palace