Taking on Virgil van Dijk is one of the hardest tasks in football for a striker and that is why many often target the centre back partner of the captain of Holland.
The Liverpool defender is well aware of this show of 'respect' and noticed recently that he didn't have many challenges to make in the Reds' Merseyside derby win over Everton last weekend. Goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi handed Liverpool a 2-0 win at Anfield.
Liverpool's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime was the Reds' 20th clean sheet of the season and the Dutch defender has been central to that. Since returning from his ACL injury at the start of pre-season, Van Dijk is now at his previous best level.
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In an interview with Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport, Van Dijk revealed he is happy to not be massively involved as long as Liverpool secure the three points.
"Do you sense that there is a bit of respect or guys see you and think this isn't the right guy to go against?" Ferdinand asked.
"Yes, for example, we played against Everton at the weekend and I felt after the game that I didn't have many challenges and I looked at Joel Matip on the right and he was targeted," Van Dijk answered. "He was amazing that game, by the way."
Ferdinand then asked: "Do you every get frustrated that you're not in the game as much as you'd want to be?"
"No, no! If we win, keep a clean sheet and I didn't have too much to do then happy days and we can recover and go again," said Van Dijk
