Wayne Rooney says ‘massive’ Liverpool player struggles against ‘sharp’ opponents

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Wayne Rooney has praised Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk in The Times, but the Derby County star believes that he is not at his best against sharp strikers like Sergio Aguero.

The former Everton and Manchester United star believes that the way Liverpool play suits Van Dijk.

However, the Englishman thinks against sharp strikers such as Manchester City’s Aguero, the former Celtic central defender does not have the best of times.

Rooney wrote in The Times: “Van Dijk is massive. Yet he’s quick and has great ability on the ball.

“I don’t think he’s best against sharp types like Sergio Aguero, who can make little runs down the side of you in the box. But the way Liverpool play suits him perfectly.”

One of the world’s best

Van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world, and like all players, the Netherlands international is not perfect.

However, no one can deny that the former Southampton star has been key in Liverpool playing so well for the past two-and-a-half years or so.

The Reds won the Champions League last season and are on the verge of clinching the Premier League title this campaign.

The 28-year-old central defender is a rock at the back, and his calmness under pressure and ability to lead from the back have been key in the Reds’ performances and results since he has been at Anfield.