‘Small thing’: Journalist shares what he spotted Van Dijk do to Erling Haaland before Liverpool v Man City

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Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk came out on top against Erling Haaland yesterday but there was a clear respect there between the pair.

The Reds star was back on top form as he nullified the City superstar. For Van Dijk, it was a massive day and a welcome return to the form which has seen him become one of the best defenders in world football recently.

However, as mentioned, that respect was there and journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft picked up on an interaction between Haaland and Van Dijk before kick-off.

“Small thing like when you cherish each other, the players before the game – you gave Erling Haaland a hug. For people that was the big duel, but is there also a mutual respect between great players?,” Fjortoft asked for Viaplay Football.

“I’ve got respect for every player, you know and everyone who has achieved as much as they do. We play on the highest level and these guys, everyone we face, have been through a lot and I always have respect for each one of them. We have played against each other many times now and it’s always been a great battle, today was nothing different,” Van Dijk replied.

TBR’s View: The Best Players Respect Each Other

Van Dijk is one of the very best in the world and so is Erling Haaland. However, when it comes to the crux of things, these sorts of player simply can’t help but admire each other.

Haaland and Van Dijk are probably in the top three in their respective positions in the world and there is more to come from the duo in the future.

At the moment, Van Dijk is getting the better of Haaland but the City star will have his day, make no mistake about that.