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Nottingham Forest 0 – 1 Liverpool PL Man of the Match

Virgil van Dijk: The Colossus Behind Liverpool’s Triumph

Photo by IMAGO

At the end of this game, I was going to award my man of the match words to Darwin Núñez, due to his unbelievable goal-scoring moment in the 99th minute of this game. My mood had gradually dipped through the two hours it took from the first whistle, till the only goal of the game found its way into the net of the Nottingham Forest goal. The negative impact of two dropped points (before that headed goal) meant I was more than willing to gift the entire match credit to the Uruguayan Raging Bull, yet logic prevailed and the realisation that three men achieved far more wondrous success to even allow that last gasp winner to prevail.

Liverpool’s Narrow Escape at City Ground

The reemergence of Caoimhin Kelleher (for the injured Alisson Becker) is staggering and his ability and form is keeping Liverpool top of the Premier League right now, as well as engulfing his club with more silverware. The ongoing season of Ibrahima Konaté is remarkable, as the fine line of playing without overplaying appears to be a vital cog in the quadruple-chasing machine. The fact that Liverpool can field two of the world’s leading central defenders so frequently, is a tremendous boost that allows the fanbase to dream about ultimate success. Both of those exceptional talents could have deservedly taken my full man-of-the-match words, given their contributions against a stubborn yet dangerous Nottingham Forest team. The need to dispel oncoming pressure and threats to success was dampened by those two men, however, it was their leader and inspired captain who led the charge and drove his tired team to an unlikely three points.

Van Dijk: A Captain’s Influence

Virgil van Dijk is quickly becoming one the most important Liverpool captains to ever lead this historic football club. An incredible ability to push nearly an entire outfield team into the defensive third (of the opposition) is not driven by bravado or arrogance, it is a decision taken due to a burning want to win at all costs. The most admired manager in the whole of world football is due to depart Anfield at the close of the 2023/24 campaign, which is why his gigantic captain is embarking upon the greatest run of defensive prowess that the English game has ever seen. Every moment of danger was thwarted today and much of the threat was wiped out by the commanding presence of the 6ft 4inch Dutchman. As the minutes ticked by and the fear of a painful draw drew nearer, the level of this encounter man of the match did not waiver and so the Reds extended their lead at the top of this enthralling footballing division.

Looking Ahead: Crucial Matches on the Horizon

A trip to Prague comes next on Thursday afternoon before Manchester City arrives at Anfield next Sunday. This week could become the most memorable in the entire era of Klopp, which is in part due to the brilliance of one of the greatest defenders who ever lived, Virgil van Dijk.

Pre-match Prediction;
Nottingham Forest 1 – 2 Liverpool

Steven Smith

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