£65m Premier League striker labels Virgil van Dijk as the toughest he's faced

Virgil van Dijk is a regular answer when it comes to strikers naming the toughest defender they've faced, and it's no different for Dominic Solanke.

The Tottenham striker was the latest to be quizzed on their toughest opponent and having played alongside him at Anfield, Solanke was full of praise in admitting Van Dijk is the best he's come up against.

The 26 year-old was full of praise for the Dutchman and labelled him as one of the best centre-halves of our time.

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"I'd probably say Van Dijk, he's just got everything. Big, strong, good on the ball, aggressive. He's one of the best defenders of our time, he's the most difficult," Solanke said on Sky Sports.

Solanke joined the Reds in 2017 on a free transfer before moving to Bournemouth in January 2019 and has since established himself as a top Premier League striker.

Van Dijk's colossus nature has continued into the Arne Slot era as he has led his side to a perfect start to the new Premier League campaign winning their opening three games without conceding a goal.

Extending Van Dijk's contract is a must

Van Dijk is one of three Liverpool stars in the final year of their current Liverpool contracts and fears are starting to mount over potential Anfield departures for some of the Reds' best players.

The Dutchman, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah can all talk to foreign clubs in January about potential free transfers for the summer of 2025, piling the pressure on Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to sort out solutions.

Van Dijk has indicated that he would like to remain on Merseyside however, with the Liverpool captain wanting to stay in Arne Slot's team for at least another two years as he eyes up another World Cup with the Netherlands.

The colossal defender has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia this summer but with Ronald Koeman's refusal to call-up Steven Bergwijn to the national squad following his move to the Middle East, a move over there for Van Dijk seems far from likely.