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Few forwards have the ability to unsettle Virgil van Dijk, but Erling Haaland achieved just that back in 2019.
The Norwegian sensation was once again on target on Sunday as Manchester City sailed to a decisive 3-0 victory over Liverpool. After failing to convert an early penalty, Haaland redeemed himself midway through the first half, heading in the opening goal to give City the lead at the Etihad.
Van Dijk believed he had equalized shortly after with a forceful header, but his attempt was controversially deemed offside, with Andy Robertson adjudged to have obstructed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. City capitalized fully by doubling its advantage on the brink of half-time, when Nico Gonzalez's long-distance shot took an unfortunate deflection off Van Dijk's weakly extended boot and looped past the misfooted Giorgi Mamardashvili.
After the interval, Jeremy Doku capped his splendid performance with a stunning goal, curling the ball into the net from outside the box to secure City's first triumph over Liverpool since the 2022-23 season.
The Belgian was undoubtedly the standout performer, but Haaland was a threat in his own right, tormenting Liverpool's defenders throughout the match - and not for the first time, either.
Back in October 2019, the forward - then leading Red Bull Salzburg's attack - burst onto the scene by coming off the bench and scoring at Anfield in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to.
Weeks earlier, Haaland had marked his Champions League debut with a blistering hat-trick against Genk, but it was that cameo on Merseyside that truly turned heads - and, by some accounts, left Van Dijk simmering with frustration.
Following the match, former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft claimed that Van Dijk was so incensed he refused to answer questions about Haaland - allegedly to avoid discussing his own mistakes against the youngster - before abruptly ending the interview.
"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 the Blood Red podcast in 2020.
"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.
"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 Halaand.'
"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."
Two months later, Haaland signed for Borussia Dortmund, turning down a move to Manchester United in the process. In Germany, he plundered 86 goals in 89 games before joining Manchester City in 2022, where he has since continued his habit of tormenting Liverpool.
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