'I spoke to Virgil van Dijk after Erling Haaland masterclass - his reaction spoke volumes'

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Back in October 2019, the forward, then leading Red Bull Salzburg's attack, burst onto the scene by coming off the bench and scoring at Anfield in a thrilling 4-3 loss to the then European champions.Just weeks prior, Haaland had announced himself on the Champions League stage with a stunning hat-trick against Genk, but it was his brief appearance on Merseyside that genuinely caught the eye - and, according to some reports, left Van Dijk seething with anger...Following the final whistle, former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft suggested that Van Dijk was so furious he declined to answer questions about Haaland, supposedly to sidestep discussing his own errors against the teenager, before cutting the interview short."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," Fjortoft told the Blood Red podcast in 2020. 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 Halaand.' And he just said: 'Well, we won the game'.

So I said 'Yes, but what do you think about him?' 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, Van Dijk."Haaland celebrates after scoring against Liverpool for Salzburg (Image: Getty Images)Two months afterwards, Haaland joined Borussia Dortmund, rejecting Manchester United in the process. In Germany, he netted 86 goals in 89 matches before moving to Manchester City in 2022, where he has maintained his record of troubling Liverpool.Sunday's goal was his fourth in nine encounters against the Reds and based on Van Dijk's pre-match remarks, the Dutchman may have anticipated what was to follow.

Haaland has praised Van Dijk ahead of the match, calling him "an amazing player." Trending Speaking to Stan Sport Football, he said: "Of course, it's fun [to play against Liverpool]. "He [Van Dijk] is an amazing player, Liverpool is an amazing team.