Virgil van Dijk could face Erling Haaland for the seventh time in his career when Liverpool travel to Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.
The Dutchman has lost just one of his previous six meetings against Haaland. That came in the most recent game against Pep Guardiola's side back in December, where the City frontman struck in a 3-2 win for his side.
Haaland has scored just twice versus Liverpool - with the other goal coming when he was playing for Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League in 2019. He started on the bench as Salzburg travelled to Anfield, but came on to score as his team notched three times in a 4-3 defeat.
It was a cameo that put Haaland on the European map and he was a real handful for the Liverpool back-line, including Van Dijk. After the game, the Reds defender was interviewed by former Norway star Jan Aage Fjortoft, who quizzed him on the forward.
Fjortoft told the Blood Red podcast last year: "The first time I saw him [Haaland] live was at Anfield when he came on and I was amazed that this young kid created so much space. He scored one goal but he could have had three or four - he was unbelievable. I was amazed how he created space and how I define that is how his runs are wise and experienced.
"After the game, I interviewed Van Dijk, who I always like to interview because he is a gentleman, and I said 'I have to ask you about the Norwegian, Erling Haland' and he just said: 'Well, we won the game'. So I said 'Yes, but what do you think about him?'.
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"Van Dijk said: 'I didn't see a lot of him' and he was a bit angry because there was some mistakes done and I said 'It's a good sign for a striker when a defender says he didn't see him!' - and then he just went away."
Haaland has been simply outstanding since his breakthrough campaign for Salzburg and earned himself a move to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020. He became an instant fans' favourite at Signal Iduna Park, striking 16 in his first 18 matches.
The Norway ace then scored an incredible 70 goals in 71 games, before joining City last summer. He has continued his simply impeccable scoring habit at the Etihad Stadium. Ahead of City's game against Liverpool, Haaland has 42 goals in 37 appearances, taking his career total to over 200 for club and country. That is simply sensational for a player that is turning 23 in July.
There are some doubts about whether Haaland will be fit to face Liverpool after picking up a groin issue before the international break.
