Virgil van Dijk is so good that he makes Erling Haaland play more like his father Alfie. If Manchester City’s superstar striker tries to swap shirts with his Liverpool nemesis after each meeting, he must possess a masochistic streak to remind him of harrowing experiences.

BackYesterday’s showdown at Anfield was more than just a win for Liverpool; it was a statement. Virgil van Dijk proved once again

Van Dijk was a strong contender for player of the match, which eventually went to Salah, as the Dutchman limited the visitors to few chances and restricted Erling Haaland. In a post on social media, the 33-year-old wrote: "Buckle up!" The post gathered support from Gakpo as well as Diaz with over 420,000 likes.