Borussia Dortmund hotshot Erling Haaland has described Liverpool centre back Virgil van Dijk as the best defender he has ever faced, although insisting that he does not fear anyone on the pitch.
The pair are set to come face-to-face for a third time when Norway take on Holland in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo on Wednesday.
And Norwegian Haaland is ready for a tough tussle after twice coming up against the Dutchman while playing for his former club RB Salzburg against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Liverpool came out on top in both group stage encounters in 2019 although Haaland did score in a 4-3 defeat at Anfield.
He said: 'I do not really fear anyone, I think he is the best defender. I think quite a few others in the room agree with me on that,'
'He is fast, strong and f***ing smart, and there are three important things you must have.
'I have played against him twice, I have said that he is the best I have met. He is a good player, so we have to try to play around him.'
Haaland's comments were repeated to Van Dijk during a press conference on Tuesday, to which the smiling defender replied: 'Did he say that? It was kind of him.'