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Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has claimed he would fancy his chances of coming out on top in a battle with Virgil van Dijk, saying the Reds captain has it easier now than in previous eras.
Heskey scored 60 goals in 223 appearances for Liverpool and was a part of the treble-winning team of 2001. The now-47-year-old went on to play for the likes of Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa after he departed Anfield.
And he says, were he now in his prime, he would back himself to get the better of Van Dijk in a physical battle. Heskey believes that the modern era doesn't have players who were that kind of old-school challenge.
"I would fancy myself against Van Dijk," Heskey told 10bet Casino. "No criticism to him, but I played in an era when it was harder to be a striker.
"You had to be better, you had to do more. We had to control the back four. You weren’t just up against one or two, you had four to play against.
"You had to drop deep and be a 10, then push forward and be a nine. Then you had to go off to the wing, or get booted in the backside, then be nutted in the back of your head.
"You had to hold up the ball, chase the channels, take players on. We had to be more complete.
"At the top end, you had Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler.
"Then at the bottom clubs you had Kevin Davies and players like that, who were awful to come up against too. You had so many better forwards.
"We all rave about Chris Wood, and he’s a good player, but that level and what he does was just normal in my day."
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Van Dijk has established himself as one of the leading players in his position in the world since he joined Liverpool from Southampton.
Writing in the official matchday program ahead of today's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, the Dutchman has called on the crowd to play their part again.
"Saturday was a step in the right direction, for sure, but now we need to follow that up with another big performance in a big game," he said. "And games don't come much bigger than Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League.
"It goes without saying that we are all really looking forward to the challenge, and I am sure you guys are as well. These are the nights you live for as a player."
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