Two defenders that have proved decade old clichè ,”attack is the only way to win” as a hoax, are Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool and David Luiz of Arsenal.
When Arsenal and Liverpool take on against each other this Saturday, the onus will fall upon the shoulders of attackers to score and win the game but more than that it will be the experienced centre-backs of each team to baton their squad through.
If David Luiz can score screamers off set-pieces, Virgil Van Dijk can stop him from doing so. If the 32-year-old Brazilian comes with a ton of experience in the Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk is the reason Liverpool stand at the top of table. If you think Luiz can outdo Virgil, you better wake up because the fight of two mighty bulls can go either ways.
Virgil Van Dijk
The tag of being the most expensive defender has passed on to Harry Maguire, as the Englishman was signed for a world record amount by Manchester United this summer; the Dutch captain has made every penny count. The trust that was put in by the Liverpool board has been equally returned by the Dutchman with his match-winning performances and stellar body. If there’s one thing to sign Virgil Van Dijk, it is another to get past him.
The tenacity that this giant possesses; the threat that his body transpires and the aura that he creates around him is enough to scare any opponents apart. Not that he does not do anything, he does give his best to win the game for Liverpool. It is his winning attitude that the attackers of Arsenal will have to overcome more than anything else.
Arsenal, if they want to win will have to prevent Virgil as much as they can. This is where the ability and talent of wingers will come in. The wingers on either side will have to make every opportunity count and create goal-scoring opportunities away from the Dutchman and further away from his reach.
Virgil is not only a threat in defence but also an aerial threat from the dead balls. So often we’ve seen him score through the corners and if anything, David Luiz will have to keep his head as high as his hairs to stop the Dutchman.
David Luiz
More than anything, the experience of David Luiz in the Premier League will come into action. That being said, the Brazilian will be a pivotal figure in defence against the scintillating trio of Mane-Firmino-Salah that have submerged the best of defenders with their skills.
David Luiz has often brought his A game against the top clubs. And the player of big matches, Luiz will want to continue his good form going into the game. Apart from the treble, David Luiz will have to be much aware of the tantalising ball that will come from either wing via full-backs of Arsenal.
Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are pin-point in producing accurate headers of which David Luiz will have to be aware of. To accompany Bernd Leno, David Luiz will have to work beyond his stamina and experience. Not that he is unbeatable, David Luiz is the trump that Unai Emery will trust upon.
The Brazilian should also be wary of the chances he’ll get in set-pieces. They will be minimal, to say the least and will be accompanied by the head of Virgil Van Dijk.
Two might figures of acumen level greater than 100, Van Dijk vs Luiz it will be: the battle to look out for.
