Ashley Barnes has hailed Virgil van Dijk as “the strongest, most difficult opponent I’ve come across” in a gushing appraisal of the Liverpool defender.
The Burnley striker will go face-to-face with the player-of-the-year contender at Anfield tomorrow (Sunday) as his side aim to stop Liverpool getting back to winning ways.
“I love playing against the big teams,” Barnes told the Times. “It’s a great challenge to play against the best and show what you can do. Van Dijk is probably the only defender I haven’t won many battles against.
“He’s the strongest, most difficult opponent I’ve come across. He’s definitely up there for Player of the Year along with the likes of [Sergio] Agüero and Sterling.
“I would like to think he has some weaknesses I can conquer but the game looks so easy for him sometimes. He’s a great player.”
OPINION
This is great insight from Barnes into what it is like to play against Van Dijk, who has taken Premier League defending to a whole new level this season. The Dutch giant has reeled off masterclasses week after week in a virtually flawless personal campaign that could see him pip a host of attacking stars to the coveted player-of-the-year gong won by his teammate Mohamed Salah last season. Barnes and his Burnley strike partner Chris Wood have caused pain for plenty of defences over the last two season, not least Tottenham at Turf Moor a fortnight ago, and the 29-year-old’s track record in big games demands respect. Since the midway stage of last season he has scored goals against Manchester United (twice), Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. Van Dijk will provide a more impenetrable barrier at Anfield, where strikers this season have done well just to get a chance on target against the brilliantly-marshalled defence.