Liverpool defeated Manchester City in a thrilling match on Sunday night, becoming just the second side to prevent Haaland from scoring in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk has never sustained a league defeat at Anfield since joining Liverpool. The Dutch centre-back has gone more than five and a half years without losing a home game.
The dependable Dutch centre-back played in all 69 of Liverpool’s Premier League clashes at Anfield. In the games played, he has won 58 and lost 11 times.
On Sunday at Anfield, he was outstanding. Alongside Joe Gomez’s assistance, Van Dijk led the Reds’ defence and helped his team avoid conceding while facing Erling Haaland’s blistering form.
Virgil van Dijk statistically performed well in the game at Anfield, he had seven clearances, one blocked shot, one interception, and 100% tackles won and 100% ground duels won.
Since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, Erling Haaland has scored an incredible 15 goals in only nine games. However, he has failed to score in back-to-back games played against Liverpool.
Haaland’s first game against the Reds was the Community Shield Cup, and the most recent was a Premier League game at Anfield last Sunday.
Manchester City’s prolific striker, Haaland, had just six shots in total, was dispossessed four times, and lost all six of his defensive duels, citing the defensive partnership of Van Dijk and Gomes for the home side.
Van Dijk has provided insight into how he was able to stop Haaland after exhibiting defensive stability, including a spectacular goal-line clearing.
Van Dijk told Sky Sports after the win against Liverpool at Anfield, “That’s what defenders have to do, tried it, yeah carry on. That’s what you have to do every game, you drop off a slight percentage they will punish you. We did very well, important to get the clean sheet and move on so we’re focusing on West Ham. “
