Barcelona star names Liverpool standout as his toughest-ever opponent | OneFootball

Barcelona star Pedri has highlighted a member of the defensive ranks at Premier League champions Liverpool as his toughest-ever opponent.

The player in question? Virgil van Dijk.

Pedri for his part faced off against stopper Van Dijk on a pair of occasions earlier this year.

As much came after Spain and the Netherlands locked horns in a double-header in the UEFA Nations League.

When all was said and done in a thrilling affair, it was the former who emerged triumphant, courtesy of a penalty shootout.

En route to as much, over the course of the two legs, both nations found the net on five occasions.

As alluded to above, though, despite his side’s leaky backline, one player who nevertheless made an altogether strong impression on Pedri was Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking at an event for Decathlon (as cited by Mundo Deportivo) this week, Pedri was asked to name the player whom he has had the toughest time against to this point in his career.

And the Barcelona midfielder went on to respond:

“I have to say he looks great on television, but Van Dijk is even bigger on the pitch. I played against him recently, and it’s very difficult to beat him.”

Conor Laird – GSFN