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Southampton defender Van Dijk says this Tottenham star embarrassed him last year

Southampton's Virgil van Dijk gestures to the referee Stuart Attwell (REUTERS)
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Southampton play host to Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow in the Premier League.

Saints star Virgil van Dijk explained how he was embarrassed by a Spurs star last season, and highlighted how the quality of the Premier League in general can make defenders look foolish at times, during an exclusive interview with the Times.

Claude Puel’s men play host to Tottenham tomorrow, with both teams in desperate need of all three points.

Southampton's Virgil van Dijk gesturesSouthampton’s Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk, 25, has been heavily linked with an exit from St Mary’s over this past month, although Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently ruled out a move for the Dutchman, claiming that any kind of transfer would be ‘impossible’, when speaking to reporters (Sky Sports).

And the former Celtic star spoke to the Times during a wide-ranging interview about his side’s clash against Mauricio Pochettino’s men tomorrow, highlighting an incident that occurred during the corresponding fixture last term:

Tottenham's Harry KaneTottenham’s Harry Kane

“Last year against Tottenham at home, I had a mistake that was maybe the only mistake in the whole season but it was a huge mistake. I mishit the ball and Kane ran through. Maybe in another league the striker does not score, but in the Premier League the players are so good. It was embarrassing but you need to be strong, take it like a man, and go again.”

The Holland international has been the model of consistency for the Saints so far this season, and he will need to be at his very best tomorrow if his side are to have any chance of gaining a positive result against an in-form Tottenham side.