There was a time when Virgil van Dijk vs Erling Haaland would have been billed as the world’s best defender going up against the best striker.
Even the most ardent Liverpool supporter would struggle to argue that the description is still applicable following a major drop off in Van Dijk’s form. He may not be at the top of his game defensively, but Van Dijk’s powers of foresight are working just fine.
“He will make defenders’ lives in England horrible.” That’s what the Dutchman said after going up against Haaland in the season-opening Community Shield. Van Dijk could not have predicted the extent to which Haaland has gone about doing that, though.
