Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has paid Alexander Isak the ultimate compliment.
Van Dijk attended the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards gala in Manchester on Tuesday and was asked to name the trickiest opponents to defend against in the Premier League.
The Dutchman, who is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in Premier League history, name-dropped Isak at a time where the Newcastle striker is being heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.
"[Erling] Haaland, Isak, [Ollie] Watkins, Harry Kane," van Dijk said in response to presenter Cecil Thomas on a TikTok live stream.
"Speaking about the last couple of years in the Premier League, there are plenty.
"Everybody has a different challenge so I respect everyone playing in the Premier League because it's the hardest league in the world."
Isak was not present at the Manchester Opera House, but was named in the Premier League Team of the Year, as voted for by his fellow peers after a stunning season for Newcastle.
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (29) scored more Premier League goals than the Sweden international (23) in the 2024-25 campaign. Furthermore, he netted in the Carabao Cup final win over the Reds to seal Newcastle’s first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Despite snubbing an invitation to (PFA) gala, Isak did take to social media to thank his club and fellow professionals before vent his frustrations at not being able to seal a move to the Premier League champions.
On Instagram, he wrote: "I'm not at the ceremony tonight. With everything going on, it didn't feel right to be there.
"I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself
"The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
"When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue. That's where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
Newcastle have since responded to Isak with a statement of their own as this transfer saga takes a fresh twist with less than a fortnight until the window closes.
