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Sergio Aguero says Liverpool star is one of the toughest opponents he’s ever faced
Sergio Aguero has named Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk as one of the toughest defenders he’s ever faced.
The Dutchman has been so good for Liverpool that he has made his £75million transfer fee seem like a bargain.
It didn’t take long for Van Dijk to make his mark following his arrival to Anfield from Southampton in 2017.
He quickly transformed the then-shaky Reds defence into a solid unit and, eventually, a trophy-winning juggernaut.
Jurgen Klopp’s charges have won the Champions League, the Premier League and the Club World Cup thanks in part to Van Dijk’s efforts.
Last season, the 30-year-old suffered a long-term injury, and Liverpool missed him terribly as they laboured to a top-four finish.
But this term, Van Dijk is back and shining once again, with the Reds still in contention for all four trophies.
Aguero locked horns with the Anfield centre-back seven times during his time at Manchester City ().
Van Dijk faced the Argentine three times while he was at Southampton and four times whilst at Liverpool.
The Reds won two of those games, and another was a stalemate.
On Tuesday, a fan asked Aguero on Twitter about the five toughest defenders he’s come up against.
The Etihad legend named Van Dijk alongside John Terry, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol and Rio Ferdinand.
Van Dijk’s transfer fee at the time raised eyebrows amongst some rivals, pundits and even Liverpool fans.
After all, £75million for a centre-back was previously unheard of, and Van Dijk was coming from a modest Premier League side.
But a serious trophy-winning outfit needs a solid defence, and the Van Dijk effect on the Liverpool back-line – indeed, the whole team – was worth every penny.