Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has said that teammate Roberto Firmino is a "nightmare" to play against.

The Brazilian attacker, who has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season, has been a crucial figure up front for the Reds alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Dutch centre-back Van Dijk told The Mirror that he is also proud of the defensive work put in by Firmino and his fellow forwards.

"Having forwards like ours is just amazing. Not just attacking-wise, but also defensively," the 26-year-old said. "They do so much work. Look at Bobby Firmino. It is a nightmare to play against him.

"I can say that myself because I played against him at the ­beginning of the season. It starts from Bobby and the boys in attack.

"If the midfield do it as well, then you are not going to be in trouble ­– you may even have an easy night."

Liverpool travel to the Etihad on Tuesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City.