Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk names Olivier Giroud as toughest opponent
Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk (33) has named Olivier Giroud (37) as the toughest opponent that he has faced, during an exclusive interview with France Football.
In 14 games against Liverpool captain Van Dijk, Giroud, who has played against the Dutchman for Arsenal, Chelsea and France, has scored six goals, the most recent of which came in the 2019/20 season. However, the AC Milan forward has left a mark on Van Dijk.
“I think that Olivier Giroud [is the toughest attacker I have played against]. Every time, you think you’ve got a hold of him, that you’ve got him well marked, but he always manages to score in one way or another: with his head, his foot, his knee. He has often scored against me (smiles),” Van Dijk told France Football.
The Liverpool captain also cited former Manchester City forward Sergio Agüero, Erling Haaland, and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus as other tough opponents. “They all make your matches very difficult,” said Van Dijk.
The pair could be set for one final showdown. Giroud currently competes in Serie A with AC Milan, however, his future at the Italian club is in doubt with his current contract expiring at the end of the season. A move to the MLS has been touted. It is therefore looking increasingly unlikely that Giroud and Van Dijk will meet again at club level, however, the Netherlands and France have been drawn in the same EURO 2024 group.
Giroud, France’s record goalscorer, has suggested that he may retire from international football after the tournament. Should Van Dijk and Giroud feature for their respective nations in the EURO 2024 group stage encounter, it will likely be their final meeting.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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