Blink and you might have missed it, but Dominic Solanke donned the Liverpool colours once upon a time.
A highly-rated product from Chelsea’s academy, there were a lot of things expected from Tottenham’s new club-record transfer.
Even though Jurgen Klopp would go on to improve the game of many players during his time at Liverpool, he couldn’t seem to churn the best out of Solanke.
In the end, he played 27 games for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring once, before securing a big-money transfer to Bournemouth in 2019.
But it wasn’t until last season that the 26-year-old would produce the best campaign of his career when he scored 19 Premier League goals for the Cherries.
That’s why Spurs, who are in the Europa League this term and were still searching for that Harry Kane replacement, knocked on Bournemouth’s door for his services.
The all-action striker would have been a problem player for many players last season and he will be hoping to continue that trend under Ange Postecoglou’s all-attacking style of play.
But Solanke has since come out and spoken about the players who have caused him the most bother during his career.
Liverpool fans wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Solanke lauded and applauded Virgil van Dijk as his most difficult opponent.
The Tottenham man expressed how the Liverpool captain has ‘everything’ in his game and is ‘one of the best defenders of our time’, as he told Sky Sports.
Dominic Solanke hails Virgil van Dijk
“I would probably say van Dijk,” said Solanke about his toughest opponent. “He just has everything. Big, strong and good on the ball. Aggressive.
“I think he is one of the best defenders in our time. I would probably say he is the most difficult.”
Tottenham v Liverpool
These two played out a controversial and drama-filled game at Tottenham’s stadium last season and many will be looking forward to the fixture again.
Fans will have to wait a little while for their first meeting of the new season because they will lock horns at the end of December.
READ MORE: Scottish media react to Andy Robertson’s display after Cristiano Ronaldo’s heroics for Portugal
By then, everyone will have a fair assessment of where both teams are at because we would be nearing the halfway stage and plenty of European matches would have been played.
Solanke got injured on his Tottenham debut – he is expected back after the international break – and he will be hoping to be eating up the goals by the time he faces van Dijk
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
