Liverpool vs. Southampton: Opposition threat – 22/09/18

Virgil van Dijk

Very well known to Southampton fans, Virgil van Dijk is the first man that could have a massive impact on the proceedings when the Saints travel to Anfield on the 22nd of September. The Dutchman, who captained the Netherlands over the international break, has been imperative to Liverpool’s form due to his defensive capabilities.

Since his arrival from Southampton at the start of the year – Virgil has single handily turned a laughing stock defence into one that can hardy be beaten. A former-centre-back partnership of Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren (mixed in with a sporadic Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez appearance when one of the two were injured) conceded 28 goals in just 23 games.

Since the six-foot-four inch centre back joined the reds back four – they only conceded ten in their last 15. Coming into this season, Van Dijk has partnered upcoming English defender Joe Gomez – letting in just two in the league, with neither having an effect on the spoils of points.

Despite having such great ability in dealing with the ball – what could be considered even more important is the mental side of his game. When he was brought in, he was instantly the leader of the back four – something they lacked previously . He had his four compatriots at the back under his command – telling them where to be at all times, allowing them to stay compact and stop gaping holes in the defence to appear.

His ability to attack the ball in an offensive sense could be a huge danger to the Southampton defence as well. Balls into the box have seemed to be the kryptonite in the past few seasons for Southampton defenders. Over the entirety of the last campaign and the beginning of this, opposition players have been able to peel of our ball watching defenders and find themselves in a position to get a free header. With VVD being able to win headers when combated with the biggest players in the premier league – leaving him free will only end in disaster.