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Danny Bloomer

Newcastle United striker labels Liverpool star as hardest opponent and names his 'idol'

Chris Wood Newcastle Newcastle United Liverpool Didier Drogba Van Dijk Virgil van Dijk Burnley EPL

Newcastle United striker Chris Wood has revealed that Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk is the most difficult defender he has faced in his career. Wood came up against the Dutch international on several occasions throughout his time at previous club Burnley, in which he has never scored.

Van Dijk has established himself as arguably the best centre-back in the world since his switch to the Reds in January 2018, winning the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup. He also came second in the running for the 2019 Ballon d’Or, with only Lionel Messi ahead of him.

Speaking in an interview with Boyle Sports EPL, Wood reeled off a long list of attributes that make van Dijk so difficult to play, claiming that you have to up your game when playing against him.

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