Brentford striker Ivan Toney has snubbed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as the toughest defender he faced this season in the Premier League - but does say he is one of the best.
Toney netted 20 goals in the English top-flight as the Bees continued to fly high under Thomas Frank. Brentford overcame Liverpool in their home fixture against the Reds, who then avenged that 3-1 defeat with one of seven straight victories at the end of the season.
Toney didn't net against Liverpool No.1 Alisson during the campaign and hasn't score in any of his last three clashes against the Anfield side. It would likely be a dream come true for the 27-year-old to score against Liverpool after supporting the six-time European Cup winners growing up.
He finished as the Bees' top goalscorer in their second Premier League campaign and in an exclusive interview with the Kick Game YouTube channel, he revealed his toughest opponents of the season.
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"[Craig] Dawson when he was at West Ham, centre-backs like that are scary, they'll put their heads in anywhere," he said. "I remember one time, he went up for a header with someone went on the floor and when I went to see if he was okay his nose was bent to the side.
"I was like, 'bro, [are] you okay? Your nose is finished', and he said, 'nah, nah, that's from last game'. The fact his nose is like that and he's still playing, you know he's getting involved."
"Centre-backs like that, (Kurt) Zouma as well, big and aggressive... (Virgil) Van Dijk, I'm a Liverpool fan so Van Dijk is one of the best. He's up there as well," Toney added discussing his affection for Liverpool after snubbing the Holland international.
Toney is currently at the beginning of an eight-month ban from football after he was charged with betting breaches. He was suspended from all football and football-related activity for eight months after being found guilty of breaching FA Betting Rules and fined £50,000.
The ban means that the England international can only train with Brentford for the final four months of his suspension, starting from September 17, 2023.
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