Liverpool and Manchester City have in recent years formed one of the best rivalries in the Premier League, with Julian Alvarez once a key figure in these ties.
The Argentine international spent two productive seasons at the Etihad Stadium where Alvarez won the treble in his first year under Pep Guardiola before reclaiming the Premier League title again last season, with the attacker winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the meantime.
With Alvarez scoring his first-ever goal for City against Liverpool in the 2022 Community Shield, the now Atletico Madrid forward is all to familiar of what it’s like to face the Reds at their absolute best under Jurgen Klopp.
And Alvarez has now said one Liverpool player is amongst the best in the world and the hardest he’s ever faced.
Virgil van Dijk named as one of Alvarez’s hardest opponents
Speaking to ESPN, Alvarez named Virgil van Dijk as one of the three hardest defenders the former City star has ever faced, with the attacker saying about the Liverpool captain: “Van Dijk, because he’s very strong. He’s one of the best defenders in the world.”
With Van Dijk still at the top of his game, it’s perhaps now real surprise why Alvarez has named the Liverpool defender as one of the best in the world, especially after the battles the two have contested for club and country in recent years.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth
Indeed, Van Dijk is considered by many as the best centre-back in the world with the Dutch international a key reason why Liverpool have been as good as they have been this season under new manager Slot.
And for Alvarez, leaving the Premier League where he will no longer face Van Dijk at club level could be a blessing in disguise for the Argentine, who could be more comfortable facing La Liga’s defenders over what he was used to in England.
Liverpool need to be focused on tying Van Dijk down to a new contract
Although Van Dijk’s performances this season have been exceptional, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Liverpool are seemingly no step closer to tying the defender down to a new contract.
The Dutch international is currently slated to leave Anfield as a free-agent at the end of this season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah in a similar boat with Van Dijk in regards to their contracts.
And with October rolling around, Liverpool need to be focused on tying Van Dijk down to a new contract, with the defender simply too good and too important to be allowed to leave just yet.
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