Virgil van Dijk namedrops Alexander Isak in reply to Liverpool question amid transfer saga

Alexander Isak battles with Liverpool captain Van Dijk.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has namedropped Alexander Isak when discussing the toughest opponents he's ever faced at the PFA awards gala.

This admission comes amid the Reds' interest in the Sweden striker - in a saga which has spilled over into the new season.

Isak wasn't expected to attend the PFA ceremony at a time in which he remains absent from training and playing for Newcastle United.

The striker was, already, of longer-term interest to Liverpool before he began to attempt to force a move away from St. James' Park.

The Reds saw a £110m bid rejected at the start of August and are yet to return with a follow-up offer.

There's now under two weeks of the transfer window remaining if they wish to change that.

Van Dijk is no stranger to a personal saga being discussed publicly, as the subject of his contract renewal was of huge interest throughout last season.

That's now behind the Liverpool captain and he was able to take a more light-hearted line of questioning on the red carpet ahead of the PFA's gala at Manchester Opera House.

Van Dijk joined presenter Cecil Thomas on a TikTok live stream - and he was asked to name a tricky opponent to defend against from the Premier League.

"[Erling] Haaland, Isak, [Ollie] Watkins, Harry Kane," the Dutchman replied.

"Speaking about the last couple of years in the Premier League, there are plenty."

"Everybody has a different challenge so I respect everyone playing in the Premier League because it's the hardest league in the world."

There remains the possibility that Van Dijk never actually has to face Isak again as an opponent at club level.

That would hinge on Liverpool managing to reach a full agreement with Newcastle.

To boost their ability of striking a deal, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has been taking a view towards securing funds through sales.

The most recent announced was Ben Doak, who has now moved to AFC Bournemouth for £25m.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher, Nat Phillips, Jarell Quansah, Luis Diaz, Tyler Morton and Darwin Nunez had previously departed and, in total, those eight exits from Anfield this summer have brought in north of £200m.