With Man City on the attack, the ball appeared to have hit the hand of the right-back in the Liverpool area. The incident led to huge protests from City players.
But discussing the best defenders in the game, the Netherlands International singled out Rudiger and Silva among PSG's Sergio Ramos, and Barcelona's Gérard Pique. "There's so many good defenders out there," van Dijk told Sky Sports.
However, amidst his monumental performance, the 36-year-old didn't forget to commend Romero, hailing him as the "best defender in the world". "For me, he is the best defender in the world right now," Messi told reporters after the game.
Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has revealed the toughest defenders he has played against during his career. Kane has become one of the top goalscorers in world football in the last decade.
The pair have made a meal of even the best defenders in the game but according to the Juventus and Barcelona stars, some have proved to be far trickier than others.
'It's hard to say, there are so many top defenders,' he said n an interview with Fifa TV. 'Mascherano, Pique, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos - he's a great centre-back. There's a lot.'
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen has named the two toughest defenders he has played against in his career so far. Osimhen identified Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero and Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly as his toughest opponents in football.
Super Eagles secured the 2018 world cup qualification on Saturday evening with a game to spare in Group B with Alex Iwobi's lone goal in the 74th minute.
I try to use my tricks in my head but his understanding of the game is top drawer. "It is to do with little things. Movement. My movement in the box, some defenders don't pay attention to me - they are only focussed on the ball.
The Ivorian played for clubs in France, England, Turkey, China and, finally, the USA "It's very difficult for me to say one that I played against because most of the time I was playing against two defenders, so one of the best pair I played
The 22-year-old will jump to being one of the highest-paid players in the Blues squad, and his contract will outstrip legendary defenders at Stamford Bridge like John Terry and Ashley Cole.