Tottenham Hotspur star Dominic Solanke spent 18 months as a Liverpool player.
The striker joined the Reds on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2017 and made 27 appearances under Jurgen Klopp during his time there.
Solanke played with some of Liverpool’s current players when he was at Anfield, and he has since faced them while playing for Bournemouth and now Spurs.
One Liverpool star, in particular, is Solanke’s toughest opponent this season, says the England international himself.
Dominic Solanke hails Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has been the best defender in the world over the last five years.
The Dutchman is one of the biggest reasons why Liverpool were so successful under Jurgen Klopp, and his quality and leadership have now helped Arne Slot win the Premier League as well.
Van Dijk has had a terrific individual season too. He has been a rock at the back for the Reds and has saved them in several games.
Solanke has faced Van Dijk three times this season, and the Spurs striker has scored two goals and provided two assists in those games.
Despite that, he has named the Liverpool captain as the toughest player he has come up against this season.
In an interview with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, Solanke said: “It’s always Van Dijk.
“He has got everything – strong, quick, a leader. I’ll probably say that he’s the most difficult.”
Virgil van Dijk has a big job on his hands at Liverpool
Liverpool convinced Van Dijk to stay at the club, and the Dutchman extended his contract for another two years.
That is a big boost for the Reds, whose defence is unlikely to have any issues in the next two campaigns.
But, the Reds need to start thinking about Van Dijk’s eventual successor. It is important for them to bring in an elite centre-half to not just learn their system but also to learn from Van Dijk.
Dean Huijsen is a key target for Liverpool, and if they can get him, Van Dijk will be handed the responsibility to help him over the next two years.
Whether Liverpool can beat others to Huijsen’s signature, however, remains to be seen.
