Erling Haaland once caused Liverpool so many problems that Virgil van Dijk walked out of an interview when asked about the young striker.
Haaland is expected to return to the Manchester City starting XI when Pep Guardiola's side take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. The striker sat out City's midweek draw in Copenhagen due to tiredness, but he should be all set to exact some revenge on Jurgen Klopp's side.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable start to his City career, scoring 15 goals in just nine Premier League appearances. His first official outing for the Blues did not go so well though, as he struggled to make an impact during City's loss to Liverpool in the Community Shield back in August.
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That wasn't the first time Haaland has faced Liverpool though. Back in October 2019 a 19-year-old Haaland came off the bench for RB Salzburg in a Champions League tie with Liverpool, scoring his side's equaliser to complete their comeback having trailed 0-3. Liverpool went on the win 4-3, but Van Dijk and the rest of the Liverpool defence were left shell-shocked by the youngster's cameo.
Van Dijk was left so annoyed and frustrated by events that according to Norwegian journalist and former Norway star Jan Aage Fjortoft he walked out of a post-match interview when asked about Haaland.
"The first time I saw him [Haaland] live was at Anfield when he came on and I was amazed that this young kid created so much space," Fjortoft told the Blood Red podcast. "He scored one goal but he could have had three or four - he was unbelievable. I was amazed how he created space and how I define that is how his runs are wise and experienced.
"After the game, I interviewed Van Dijk, who I always like to interview because he is a gentleman, and I said 'I have to ask you about the Norwegian, Erling Haaland' and he just said: 'Well, we won the game'. So I said 'Yes, but what do you think about him?'
Van Dijk said: 'I didn't see a lot of him' and he was a bit angry because there was some mistakes done and I said 'It's a good sign for a striker when a defender says he didn't see him!' - and then he just went away."
Haaland and City will be hoping that he can have a similar impact on his second visit to Anfield. City currently sit second in the Premier League standings, one point behind leaders Arsenal. They are already 13 points clear of Liverpool, although Klopp's side do have one game in hand.
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