It was an unforgettable night for Virgil van Dijk on Sunday as Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 thanks to Erling Haaland’s opener.
Few strikers can make Virgil van Dijk uncomfortable, but Erling Haaland did it in 2019. The Norwegian giants were on the scoresheet again on Sunday as Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 3-0.
After missing an early penalty, Haaland made amends midway through the first half and scored the opening goal, even with little knowledge, to put City ahead against the Etihad. Van Dijk thought he had equalized shortly after with a powerful header, but his shot was controversially ruled out for offside after Andy Robertson was judged to have interfered with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s attack.
City made the most of their lead by doubling their lead just before half-time, Nico Gonzalez’s long-range shot deflecting neatly off Van Dijk’s weakly extended spike and past the wrong-footed Giorgi Mamadashvili. After the break, Jeremy Doku, who dazzled as he danced all night, capped off his great performance with a stunning goal, curling the ball in from outside the box to seal City’s first win against Liverpool since the 2022/23 season.
The Belgian was by far the standout, but Haaland was a threat in his own right and tormented Liverpool’s defenders all night – and not for the first time. Back in October 2019, the forward, who was then spearheading Red Bull Salzburg’s attack, burst onto the scene, coming off the bench to score in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to the reigning European champions at Anfield.
A few weeks earlier, Haaland had made his Champions League debut with an impressive hat-trick against Genk, but it was that cameo on Merseyside that really grabbed attention – and, by some accounts, left Van Dijk smoldering with frustration.
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After the match, former Norway international Jan Age Fjortoft claimed that Van Dijk became so furious that he abruptly ended the interview and refused to answer questions about Haaland, allegedly to avoid talking about his mistakes against Haaland.
“The first time I saw him (Haaland) live was when he came on at Anfield and I was amazed at how much space this young player was able to create,” Fjortoft said on the Blood Red podcast in 2020. “He scored one goal, but he could have scored three or four. He was unbelievable. I was amazed at how he created space and that’s how I define his running as smart and experienced.”
“After the game I interviewed Van Dijk, who I always like to interview because he’s a gentleman, and I said, ‘I want to ask you something about the Norwegian Erling Hallaand.’ And he just said, ‘Well, we won the game.’ So I said, “Yes, but what do you think about him?” “I didn’t see much of him,” said Van Dijk, who was a bit angry after making some mistakes.
“And I said, ‘When a defender says he couldn’t see himself, that’s a good sign for a striker!'” – And off he went, Van Dijk. ”
Two months later, Haaland signed for Borussia Dortmund, but halfway through he turned down a move to Manchester United. In Germany, he scored 86 goals in 89 games before joining Manchester City in 2022, and has continued his habit of tormenting Liverpool ever since.
Sunday’s goal was his fourth in nine games against the Reds, and judging by Van Dijk’s pre-match comments, the Dutchman may have known what was coming. “We are playing against a very well-formed team and a very well-formed striker as well. We have to react correctly (to him),” said the centre-back.
Despite their battles on the field, there is clearly mutual respect between the two. Haaland praised Van Dijk before the match, calling him a “great player”.
In an interview with Stan Sports Football, the Norwegian said: “Of course it’s fun[to play against Liverpool]. I’m playing football, I’m doing what I love and of course it’s fun.” “He (Van Dijk) is a great player and Liverpool are a great team, so like I said, we need to be ready.”
Sunday’s result leaves City second in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Arsenal. Meanwhile, Liverpool suffered their fifth loss in six league games, dropping to eighth place.
A 2-0 win over Aston Villa and then a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League offered hope, but a weak showing at the Etihad suggests Liverpool still have a long way to go before they can truly shake off their troubles.
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