Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk sends message to Erling Haaland before Arsenal opportunity

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is excited about his upcoming showdown with Manchester City's Erling Haaland.

The two Premier League giants will face off at Anfield on Sunday in a huge game, where Van Dijk will try to stop prolific marksman Haaland in a match that will go a long way to determining the destiny of the Premier League title.

Van Dijk is well aware that their one-on-one fight will be important, but it's not just about them. He told the PA news agency: "It's obviously going to be a massive game for both sides and I'm really looking forward to the challenge of facing the treble winners. It's always good to come up against one of the best and most in-form strikers in the world.

"He (Haaland) is a natural goalscorer, he has proven it and his numbers are speaking for themselves so it will be a tough afternoon but it's a battle I am looking forward to."

When asked if Haaland, who has scored for City three times against Liverpool in six appearances, has been tough for him, Van Dijk said: "Of course. I've caused him problems, he's caused me problems that's how it works. These battles are always tough. But like I said I think he is looking forward to it and I'm looking forward to it."

While the big match on Sunday won't decide the title, a win for Liverpool would put them four points ahead of City with 10 games left. Liverpool have a strong record at Anfield against City, losing only once since 2003 and winning 13 out of the last 20 home games. However, by the time that the match kicks off on Sunday, Arsenal could already be top of the table, with Mikel Arteta's side having the opportunity to go above their title rivals when they play Brentford at home on Saturday evening.

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But Van Dijk says fans shouldn't think this weekend's game will tell us who will win the league. He said: "There's too long to go. Obviously it is a massive game, you can't deny that. There will be a lot of eyes on it but we have one aim and that's to try to win the game.

"We are at home and we are looking forward to the big challenge but the big opportunity as well. We want to get a good result. That's the only thing we will try and do, not going out there to make statements. But we know we are going to face a team which is very good and it will be tough."

Liverpool's 5-1 win against Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday night means they are almost certainly into the quarter-finals of the competition and can rest a host of players for the second leg next week. The same cannot be said for Arsenal, who must overcome a 1-0 deficit in the second led of their Champions League Round of 16 match on Wednesday before facing off against Haaland and City themselves at the end of the month after the international break.