Alan Shearer has claimed that Virgil van Dijk had a ‘really uncomfortable’ afternoon against Aleksandar Mitrović during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Fulham on Saturday at Craven Cottage.
The Premier League legend added that it wasn’t just Van Dijk who struggled against Mitrovic because Liverpool’s whole backline couldn’t cope with the hard-hitting striker.
Before a ball was kicked, not many were giving the newly-promoted side a chance, but when Mitrovic rose above Trent Alexander-Arnold to open the scoring, it left many in shock.
Even when Liverpool equalised through Darwin Nunez in the second half, some thought it was the start of the comeback, but the fit and firing Mitrovic had other ideas.
The Serbia international ran at Van Dijk, won a foul and then converted the penalty, as Shearer praised the player and Fulham’s overall display yesterday, as he told BBC Sport.
“I thought Fulham were absolutely brilliant,” said Shearer. “The energy that they showed. The way that they went after Liverpool. The way they played to Mitrovic’s strengths, in terms of getting balls into the box.
“He gave the back four a really uncomfortable afternoon and there are not many times you can say that with Liverpool, particularly Virgil van Dijk.”
VAN DIJK V MITROVIC
Not many players have caused Van Dijk problems, but Mitrovic did just that on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, including forcing the Dutchman to concede a penalty.
There were a lot of question marks over Marco Silva’s side and their free-scoring striker from the Championship, but this will do their confidence the world of good.
If they can cause this sort of damage against a team of Liverpool’s calibre, then it’s only really Manchester City they need to worry about.
Many were tipping for Fulham to go down before a ball was kicked, but if Mitrovic thinks like he is coming up against Van Dijk-like defender every week, then he should produce his ‘A’ game most of the time, all of which would bode well for the London club.
Either way, the first week of the Premier League season has already thrown up a few surprises, and with the engine not really firing yet, there are surely more to come.
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