Haaland challenges Van Dijk: Liverpool visit Etihad

This weekend at the Etihad poses a simple, yet stark question for Liverpool: can they neutralize the in-form Erling Haaland? The Norwegian has scored 27 goals for club and country with six months of the season left, at a rate of almost two goals per 90 minutes. His explosive form has prompted manager Pep Guardiola to compare him to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, although Haaland modestly denies it. In the Premier League, Haaland’s 13 goals account for 65% of Manchester City’s total; without them, City would be seven points behind. This is a defining test for Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool’s defensive structure.

Liverpool have contained Haaland in direct confrontations

There are reasons for Liverpool to believe in their plans. Haaland has scored just three goals in eight career appearances against the Reds, and just once in four Premier League games. He missed the last meeting in February; before that, he had just three shots in two consecutive games. The last time Haaland scored against Liverpool was back in November 2023. Of his opponents, only Aston Villa (one of two teams to stop him scoring this season with Spurs) and Newcastle have been more effective in keeping Haaland out.

In individual duels, Van Dijk often takes the initiative. A one-on-one at Anfield last March is a case in point: the Dutch centre-back kept his composure, acting as a shield between Haaland and Alisson, forcing the striker out of his ideal finishing zone.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa: tactical reference

The difference is that Haaland is now even harder to deal with: Man City are less obsessed with possession, instead optimising opportunities for the No. 9 to exploit the space in behind, as he did against Bournemouth. He is also more involved in the overall play, while increasing his touches in the box.

Aston Villa, though, have provided a workable template. Unai Emery has emphasised the role of Emiliano Martinez, the quality of the duels, the compactness of the team and the cover at the back. According to GeniusIQ data, in Villa’s 1-0 win, Haaland received the ball in just 2.8 square metres of space on average – significantly less than the 4.0 square metres he received in City’s other games. Ezri Konsa’s aggressive marking has kept Haaland’s touches (especially in the box) below his usual level, while the striker has received just 10 passes – his lowest in the Premier League this season.

Van Dijk and the problem of cutting off ball supply

“Everyone on the outside wants to focus on the one-on-one, but it’s all about working together and stopping the supply of the ball,” Van Dijk said after Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Man City in October 2022. That message remains as Haaland’s passing machine shifts: it used to be Kevin de Bruyne, but since the Belgian left in June, new avenues have opened up. Phil Foden has passed to Haaland the most in the Premier League this season (16). Liverpool also need to be wary of Rayan Cherki, who set up both Haaland goals against Bournemouth.

If there is one individual capable of anchoring the system – holding duels, dictating space and blocking passing lanes – it is Van Dijk. Despite having been publicly questioned by Wayne Rooney about his leadership qualities, the 34-year-old is backing it up with data: a 77.2% duels win rate, higher than any previous season for Liverpool. Keeping a clean sheet against Haaland at the Etihad would be the strongest response.

Key numbers for the Etihad appointment

Jamie Carragher once called Haaland the biggest threat to Arsenal’s title hopes. At the Etihad, that threat is also the biggest test for Liverpool’s ambitions. If Liverpool can replicate the “Aston Villa model” – suffocating space, winning duels and cutting off passes from Foden and Cherki – they have a chance of cooling down City’s number one striker. If not, Haaland’s numbers speak for themselves.