This Thursday we have a real treat in store as Liverpool will welcome Leicester City at Anfield for a real cracker of a game. And Virgil van Dijk, as is already usual, might hold the keys to their victory in his hands.
On the chalkboard
Brendan Rodgers’ team has been the revelation of the season over in the Premier League and just the fact that the Foxes are once again flying high and might even pose a threat to Liverpool’s march towards the title speaks enough volume of their success.
But going into this game, they will have a huge test and one that very well may determine how the rest of the campaign unfolds.
Of course, with Jamie Vardy in their ranks, Leicester’s attack looks as formidable as ever as the veteran gunman is literally firing on all cylinders.
For that reason, stopping him will be crucial for Jurgen Klopp’s success. And that, of course, is a job for a certain Ballon d’Or runner-up.
Attack vs defence
The clash between Van Dijk and Vardy on the pitch is practically unavoidable and the Premier League’s finest are bound to lock horns on Thursday evening at Anfield.
And neither of them actually needs a big introduction as their names already tell enough of a story.
Liverpool’s 6 ft 3 colossus, the 2019 Ballon d’Or runner-up, is a true rock in defence and has been lauded by legends in the past. The numbers also speak for themselves, even though they are not as inflated as one would expect.
No clues: Can you name the season these iconic Liverpool images belong to?
His 0.8 tackles, one interception and 0.2 times dribbled past stats per game are decent but not otherworldly figures. With Van Dijk, it’s mostly about snuffing out the danger before it even presents itself and tackling and intercepting becomes the very last weapon in his arsenal – this will be crucial to stopping the prolific Englishman.
For Vardy, however, it’s the exact opposite as the 32-year-old forward has already bagged 17 goals and three assists in the Premier League, averaging 2.7 shots and 0.7 key passes per game.
His numbers indicate he is as lethal as they come and for that very reason, this battle just might decide who exits the bout with all three points.
Let’s see who ends up coming out on top.
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