Virgil van Dijk has likened Erling Haaland's playing style to Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy.
The Liverpool defender has come up against both players on a number of occasions, including a recent meeting with Norwegian striker Haaland whilst on international duty with Holland.
Haaland is fast becoming one of the world's leading talents, with speculation surrounding his future continuing to heighten ahead of his £68million release clause becoming active next summer.
Liverpool are one of the clubs linked with his signature, and van Dijk has detailed what it is about the forward that sets him apart from the rest.
"Haaland is a special striker, because he's so strong, he's quick, he's got all the attributes to make a defender's life very difficult," the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
"The first time [I played him] was when he came on at Anfield. He was at Salzburg and he got a tap-in and he scored.
"Obviously in the away game he didn't. He got subbed after 65 minutes or something but it was a very tough one, he was very quick, aggressive, very direct."
Van Dijk then suggested Haaland's style was "a bit like how Jamie Vardy plays."
He added: "The only thing I think Haaland has is maybe he's a little bit stronger than Vardy but it could be very difficult to defend against."
Haaland has certainly got a similar knack for finding the back of the net as 2019/20 Premier League Golden Boot winner Vardy.
The Borussia Dortmund star has hit 68 goals in 67 matches for the German club since signing for them in January 2020.
With a transfer on the horizon, Paris Saint-Germain have now reportedly joined the race for his signature, as they prepare to battle the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid for the 21-year-old.
Yet van Dijk conceded Haaland still has a long way to go before he is on the same level as the toughest forward he has ever faced.
"I would say Leo Messi. He's still the best footballer in the world," van Dijk said when asked. "Him and Cristiano Ronaldo they've been doing unreal numbers for the last decade and it's incredible what they've achieved.
I would say Messi [is the toughest], just because of that very tough evening in Barcelona when we lost [3-0 in the Champions League semi final first leg]. Luckily we turned it around at Anfield."
Where will Haaland be playing his football next season? Have your say below.
Liverpool fans have been getting excited this week about the prospect of Haaland pitching up at Anfield, after he sent two of his Dortmund shirts to Reds legend Robbie Fowler, who previously donned the No.9 on Merseyside.
Fowler posted an image of the signed shirts on Twitter, along with the message: "Look better in red next year," and a winking emoji.
Should Liverpool want to add the goal machine to their squad, though, they will have to stump up some serious cash.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Haaland's agent Mino Raiola has already outlined the terms of any agreement to potential suitors, which includes a basic salary worth £43million per year - not including bonuses.
