West Ham new boy Mohammed Kudos names hardest opponent as Liverpool man who 'tries to get in your head'
West Ham summer signing Mohammed Kudus has named Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as the toughest opponent he has faced.
Both the Reds and Hammers first had to contend with Europa League group stage openers - the former winning in Austria against new opponents LASK and the latter scoring in victory at home to Serbian side Backa Topola - before they meet at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
David Moyes' team trail Jurgen Klopp's by only three points after their undefeated run was brought to an end by table-toppers Manchester City last weekend - a match in which Kudus came off the bench for only his second appearance.
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The Ghanaian will be in line for greater starting opportunities in the coming weeks and months, though is expecting a tougher battle than the rest on Merseyside.
This is because Virgil van Dijk will be involved - the man Kudus regards as his most resilient foe to date.
The captain has been out for two Premier League matches following his straight red card at St. James' Park and subsequent outburst to referee Jon Brooks almost a month ago, but will be in line for his first league start after serving his suspension.
Speaking to a live audience of his new club's fans in special episode of West Ham's official Iron Cast podcast, Kudus said: "Obviously Van Dijk [is my toughest opponent yet]. I played against him in the Champions League home and away – he’s the hardest opponent I have faced. Strong, fast and he wins all the duels. Yes, he tries to get into your head."
The 23-year-old learned this across two Champions League group matches last in which
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