Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has revealed how the Reds plan to try and stop Erling Haaland and his team-mates during their clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm since signing for the Citizens from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. The Norwegian has 15 goals in nine games this season. He has even got three assists - a figure bettered only by Bukayo Saka and Bernardo Silva (four), and Kevin De Bruyne (nine). His Champions League record, meanwhile, stands at three games, five goals.
Only one team - Bournemouth - have stopped Haaland from scoring in the league this season, and yet the Cherries still lost 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium. That shows that, even when Haaland is not on top form, City are still operating at an exceptionally high level. But the 21-year-old has taken Pep Guardiola's side even further.
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In contrast, Liverpool have conceded 12 goals in eight games this season - already nearly halfway towards last season's overall tally of 26. But Van Dijk says he and his fellow defenders have a plan to try to avoid that figure rising even higher at Anfield on Sunday.
Van Dijk reveals how Liverpool plan to stop Haaland, City team-mates
Speaking about the crunch fixture on Friday, Van Dijk revealed (quotes via Manchester Evening News): "We have to try to stop the balls going to him, defend at the highest level, and be at our best. That's what we always have to be against City, and that's not going to be any different on Sunday.
"It's something we should look forward to. It's definitely not me against him, it's all of us versus all of them. It's the outside world that creates battles, one versus one and all this stuff.
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"We want to stop them scoring, regardless of who it is on the pitch. But we know he's quite good."
Meanwhile, Haaland spoke earlier in October about how City's 3-1 defeat to the Reds in the Community Shield in August helped to inspire his current form. The Norwegian failed to score, and missed a clear-cut chance during the game.
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He explained (quotes via MEN): "I think it was good that match happened, that something happened, and [I thought], I have to be a bit more ready."
Liverpool will hope they can keep him out on Sunday - or potentially face a third Premier League defeat of the season.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Manchester City, Erling Haaland, Virgil Van Dijk, Premier League