Topic: Virgil Van Dijk (Cpt)

[Elzar]

I have no idea if I’ve just imagined something mad today, but has he gone from being left footed to right footed while injured!?

He seemed to play everything with his right today.

[Skagger]

I have no idea if I’ve just imagined something mad today, but has he gone from being left footed to right footed while injured!?

He seemed to play everything with his right today.

He's always been a right footed left sided CB unless im going mad

[Elzar]

He's always been a right footed left sided CB unless im going mad

I had this vision of him pinging it about with his left foot. I think it’s me that’s lost my mind 

Great moment in the match today when the ball came in and Burnley had 2 players in the box v just Van Dijk and he handled it superbly.

[MBL?]

Yeah he’s right footed and always has been.

[Samie]

Right footed but plays on the left side of defence. 

[Welshred]

Him and Matip is the best central defensive partnership in the world

[number 168]

Him and Matip is the best central defensive partnership in the world

I think you are right but I would like to see those Burnley bruisers up against Konate and VVD, I doubt our lads would come off second best!

[slaphead]

What an absolute joy to see him out on the pitch instructing the other lads where to go and when, what to do. Obviously we missed his footballing skills and to a certain extent you can compensate that, never fully and other things suffer, but you cannot replace what we does for us verbally. Outstanding

[jckliew]

I think you are right but I would like to see those Burnley bruisers up against Konate and VVD, I doubt our lads would come off second best!

Next week's game against Chelsea will see how they fare against the Lukaku battering. 

[MonsLibpool]

He's like a number 10 at centreback. That pass he played to Harvey was what created the space for our second goal.

[MNAA]

Next week's game against Chelsea will see how they fare against the Lukaku battering. 

Lukaku is a bully. No one bullies Virgil. Not that he is facing Lukaku for the first time.

[naYoRHa2b]

Strong in the air yesterday. They didn't get much of a sniff at set pieces.

[PaulF]

Him vs Lukaku in a couple of weeks will be a real early test.

An early test of how much Lukaku can see from inside Virgil's pocket?

[Crimson]

Lukaku is a bully. No one bullies Virgil. Not that he is facing Lukaku for the first time.

Lukaku will target Matip as the weak link (which he aint). Regardless, I can see Matip taking the aerial duels and Virg covering back if the ball is looped over.

Will be an interesting challenge!

[RyanBabel19]

Still looks a little rusty but that's fully understandable after the injury he had, Matip is a great partner for him right now ans the best choice of our CBs as he's extremely confident, experienced and assured.

Virgil had some great moments yesterday and a few that looked a little shaky but his impact in the side is immense

[PaulF]

Vvds passing range is a joy.
Have most teams that have been consistent winners had at least one of the centre backs that can send a raking pass?
Thinking mostly pl... I don't think of cities being noted, but I don't care.
Vidic had a decent pass, can't remember if Ferdinand could .
Adams and bould were hopeless before for Wenger. , But much better at bringing the ball out afterwards.
Was sol Campbell any good?
Probably the less said about John Terry playing it away the better ....

[Carra-ton]

Considering how physical Lukaku can be, I wouldn't mind Konate partnering VVD, he is a beast against someone trying to be physical. However, I think Matip also makes sense given his performances and experience.

[rossipersempre]

Very much looking forward to seeing him leave his mark (psychological and physical) on a post-summer break Lukaku.

[RedG13]

Considering how physical Lukaku can be, I wouldn't mind Konate partnering VVD, he is a beast against someone trying to be physical. However, I think Matip also makes sense given his performances and experience.

The last 3 games Matip/Virgil have played together  vs Lukaku irc he barely been able to get shots off.

[Welshred]

Considering how physical Lukaku can be, I wouldn't mind Konate partnering VVD, he is a beast against someone trying to be physical. However, I think Matip also makes sense given his performances and experience.

Seriously underrating how good Joel Matip is there.

[killer-heels]

Matip is clearly very strong plus he is excellent with his anticipation and reading of the game. A defender won't win every physical battle against Lukaku and thus has to be able to ensure he doesn't get the ball or gets shots off. Would be crazy to start anybody else alongside Van Dijk than him.

Plus Lukaku isn't the only threat they possess. Play our best players!

[El Lobo]

Considering how physical Lukaku can be, I wouldn't mind Konate partnering VVD, he is a beast against someone trying to be physical. However, I think Matip also makes sense given his performances and experience.

Dropping Matip would be mental.

[palimpsest]

Dropping Matip would be mental.

Especially since we already know Matip can handle Lukaku as he’s played against him before.

[sinnermichael]

Best in the world by miles and it's not even close. And that's at probably 75% fitness.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Again proving why some of you are watching a different game.

Fantastic performance, unlucky to hit the bar in the build up to the pen.

[El Lobo]

I didn’t want to say after the Norwich game that I was worried he might not be the same player….but last two games he’s been imperious and like he was never gone.

[palimpsest]

He’s back to his usual of looking personally offended when someone even thinks about getting the better of him. Now I’m just waiting for him to get on the score sheet.

[MNAA]

No.1 central defender in the world our Virgil is. Bestest without a shadow of doubt. Makes Chelsea Lukaku looks like Utd Lukaku. And Big Joel was no slouch either

[Crimson]

Plays like he's not had a year away. What a player!

[rushyman]

I wonder if he dropped Lukaku off to the train station on his way home or kept him in his kecks till morning

[Yorkykopite]

No.1 central defender in the world our Virgil is. Bestest without a shadow of doubt. Makes Chelsea Lukaku looks like Utd Lukaku. And Big Joel was no slouch either

Virg played well but, jeez, he's going to come up against superior forwards this season than the ponderous and quickly exhausted Lukaku. 

[bird_lfc]

I love watching him and Matip together. Having them two infront of Ali gives you SO much confidence in the defence

[RedSince86]

Imperious once again.

[Welshred]

Was at his absolute imperious best yesterday, joy to watch!

[Samie]

Showing why he's still the King. 

Fuckin' hell! we've not even used Konate and Gomez.   

[jooneyisdagod]

He's probably at 80% and he's still the best defender in the world by miles.

[killer-heels]

He goes off to International duty now so fingers crossed they handle with due care.

Thus far though an amazing thumbs up to the medical team, physio team and Virgil himself because he looks amazing.

[him_15]

Still not back to his best but already the best in the world.

[RedForeverTT]

He's probably at 80% and he's still the best defender in the world by miles.

Makes Lukaku looks not better than Chris Wood. Totally negate whatever power and pace Lukaku brought to the game and we were never in danger 1 on 1.

[CHOPPER]

The Collossus of Annie Roads