Van Dijk joins England star on Lookman’s list of toughest defenders

Super Eagles and Atletico Madrid winger Ademola Lookman has named Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk as one of the toughest defenders he's faced in his career, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old started his journey to professional football with Charlton Athletic. However, the next few years were tough for him, especially in the top-flight of English football. While there were glimpses of the talent he possessed, he just couldn't find the consistency in delivery. Additionally, Lookman was largely misprofiled.

Some coaches played him as a striker, others forced him out wide on the flank, until Gian Piero Gasperini found out the Nigerian thrives in the mix of both.

It took spells at Everton, Leicester City, Fulham and RB Leipzig before the 2024 CAF Player of the Year found his feet in Bergamo with Atalanta.

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Van Dijk and Reece James – Lookman's toughest opponents

In a recent interview with ESPN UK, the Atletico Madrid forward revealed his toughest outings have come against the captains of Liverpool and Chelsea, respectively.

Ademola Lookman has played against the Dutch centre-back six times, although he was on the winning side just twice, and in both games, he scored.

One of those came in 2021, when Leicester City sealed a narrow 1-0 win over Liverpool, where Lookman came off the bench to score the game's only goal, leaving Van Dijk wowed.

“I think he had a little bit too much space at first and we let him use his strength – he’s a good dribbler and unfortunately the goal went in,” Virgil said after the game, as revealed by Tribuna.

“But still, we had moments that we reacted in, we created chances and should have done better but overall I think Leicester can be proud of their performance and you have to give them credit as well.”

Reece James has been regarded as one of the best right-backs in the English Premier League when fit. The Englishman has played against Lookman on three occasions, coming on top twice.

The Nigerian's only win against James came earlier this season, in the UEFA Champions League group phase clash against the Blues. Atalanta sealed a 2-1 win.

The one-time UEFA Europa League winner has been backed to score against Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final set to be played on Tuesday in London.