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Virgil Van Dijk Walked Out Of Interview After Being Annoyed By Impressive Erling Haaland

Virgil Van Dijk Walked Out Of Interview After Being Annoyed By Impressive Erling Haaland

The Norwegian striker had an excellent game off the bench against Liverpool in October and his performance wound the Reds' centre back up.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Virgil van Dijk was so annoyed at his performance against Erling Haaland in October, and the young striker's ability against him, that he walked out of a short interview.

Haaland's performances in the early part of the season in the Champions League skyrocketed his reputation, as he scored in all of Red Bull Salzburg's first five games in the Group Stage.

Included in that was a goal off the bench at Anfield, as Salzburg troubled reigning champions Liverpool in a 4-3 loss. The Norwegian came off the bench in that game and helped change the game as they went from 3-1 down to 3-3 within minutes of coming on.

His performance was so good that it angered Van Dijk enough to walk out of an interview with Norwegian ex footballer turned journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft.

"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 Blood Red Podcast.

"He scored one goal but he could have had three or four - he was unbelievable. I was amazed how he created space and how I define that is how his runs are wise and experienced.

Haaland celebrates his equaliser at Anfield. Image: PA Images
Haaland celebrates his equaliser at Anfield. Image: PA Images

"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 Haaland'.

"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's performances in Europe earlier this season, along with 16 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga, helped him earn his move to Borussia Dortmund, with plenty of other clubs also interested in the 19-year-old.

However despite goals in the first five matches it was his, and his Salzburg teammate's, failure in the reverse fixture against the soon to be Premier League champions that caused Red Bull to be knocked out of the Champions League.

A 2-0 win for Liverpool saw the defending champions reach the knockout round whilst the reverse scoreline would have seen them knocked out and the Austrian's go through.

Both Haaland and Van Dijk are out of the competition too, after the German's loss to PSG and the Reds' loss to Atletico Madrid, but it's almost certain their paths will cross again in the future.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Red Bull Salzburg, Erling Haaland, Premier League, Borussia Dortmund, Virgil Van Dijk, Champions League, Bundesliga