Video: Van Dijk compares top Liverpool target to Manchester City's new signing: "Very direct, quick, tall, strong"

Virgil van Dijk says Darwin Nunez is similar to Erling Haaland and that he is one of the best strikers in Europe.

In June, when asked by Rio Ferdinand who he thinks are the best and most difficult forwards to play against, van Dijk named the usual suspects.

He said: “Aguero was obviously unbelievable.

“Messi, arguably the best player in the history of football in my opinion. Mbappe is different quick… Haaland.”

The Liverpool defender was also quick to include Benfica star, Darwin Nunez, comparing him to the new Manchester City forward.

“And also Darwin. He’s a bit similar [to Haaland] – very direct, quick, tall, strong and it’s quite difficult to play against him.”

Liverpool are prepared to "smash" their transfer record to sign Nunez, according to Dominic King, and have opened talks with Benfica over a fee for the 22-year-old.