Liverpool will put their Premier League title hopes to one side as they turn their attentions to the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night.
The Reds will host Atalanta in the first leg, a Serie A side that has been flying high in recent years and currently sit sixth in the table.
They’re currently in a poor run of form, having lost three and drawn one of their last five league games. Liverpool will hope to take advantage.
One Atalanta player Reds fans may be somewhat familiar with is Sead Kolasinac, who was on Arsenal’s books between 2017 and 2022.
The 30-year-old made 118 competitive appearances for the Gunners, including six against Liverpool.
And Kolasinac has now revealed which Reds player he says is his “idol” and “one of the best” in the world.
Which Liverpool player has Sead Kolasinac deemed ‘an idol’?
The Bosnia & Herzegovina international. who has made 36 appearances for La Dea this term, says he has been “most inspired” by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Kolasinac told Sky Sport Italia, as translated by Football Italia: “Van Dijk is the player I am most inspired by. He is one of the best defenders in the world and is an idol for me.”
It’s not surprising to see Kolasinac single Van Dijk out for praise and say he’s an idol of his. After all, the Dutchman is one of the best defenders in the world, and his career has been inspirational.
Indeed, it’s baffling to think that there were some who questioned whether Van Dijk was past his best not long ago after struggling for form for a while.
The 32-year-old has answered those critics emphatically, returning to the top of his game and earning praise from fans and pundits alike.
On Thursday, the Liverpool skipper and the Atalanta colossus will lock horns once again, with a place in the semi-finals at stake following the two legs.
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