Neal Maupay has had to play against some fantastic defenders over the years.

From Ruben Dias to William Saliba, Maupay has played against the best of the best.

Speaking on the Premier League’s YouTube channel, Maupay has now named who he believes is the toughest defender he’s ever had to face in the Premier League, and the striker named a Liverpool star as his toughest opponent.



Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Maupay spoke about Virgil van Dijk claiming that he’s very difficult to play against.

Draw at West Ham dents Liverpool title hopes	West Ham 2 Liverpool 2 – Quansah lesson? Soft goal problem? Diaz the trusted forward?	Liverpool target “likes” then “unlikes” social media post of Arne Slot joining Liverpool

“Who is the toughest defender you have ever played against in the Premier League?” Maupay was asked.

“Oh there’s been some good defenders, Van Dijk you know that season when he finished second in the Ballon d’Or, it’s got to be him,” Maupay said.

Maupay certainly isn’t the first striker in the Premier League to say this.

Indeed, Van Dijk has been a thorn in the side of many an attacker over the years, and it’s not hard to see why.

There isn’t a defender in the league who is stronger or smarter than him, while he’s also one of the fastest and arguably the best on the ball.

Van Dijk is the full package as a centre-back, and there really isn’t much you can do against him as a striker.

The Dutchman just reads the game so well, and even if you do manage to get past him, his recovery speed is up there with the very quickest defenders in the game.

We don’t envy any striker who has to play against Van Dijk, and we can absolutely understand why Maupay says he’s the most difficult defender he’s had to play against.