Van Dijk

Who should partner Van Dijk?

With the record £75 million signing of Dutch international defender Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool have taken major steps towards addressing the defensive frailties that have plagued Jurgen Klopp’s side throughout his tenure. Whilst having a world record defender is great, Liverpool can’t expect Van Dijk to solve the team’s defensive problems alone. Almost every team...

Have we underestimated Liverpool’s squad depth?

Over the last month or so we have seen Jurgen Klopp increasingly trust his squad which has seen him rotate a number of his first choice eleven in and out of the side. With the added demands of European football, it was clear Klopp was going to have to utilise his squad players a...

Van Dijk Doesn’t Need an Armband to be a Leader

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article here on Anfield Index about Jordan Henderson (which you can read if you click here). Essentially, I made a case for Henderson returning from what has turned to be the first in a growing list of injuries for the midfielder. At the time, I felt...

Observations as Liverpool Come Back From Behind Against Foxes

Liverpool came back from behind to win 2-1 with Leicester on Saturday after a blunder from Joel Matip saw Jamie Vardy put the visitors in front after just three minutes. Klopp's side responded well though, moving the ball around nicely and creating several chances for the in-form Mo Salah. It seemed to be an off-day...

Five New Year’s Resolutions for Jurgen Klopp

The New Year. A time for reflection, but also time to look forward. Forward for the Reds, forward for Jurgen Klopp. I doubt the beautiful German will have 'go to the gym more' or 'catch up on the soaps' on his resolutions list, but here are a few Liverpool related issues he might want to...

Van Dijk Makes LFC Unlikely Action Hero

Why do we watch Liam Neeson action movies? On the surface, it doesn't make much sense. He's not exactly Jason Statham or Dwayne Johnson, but after wrestling a few wolves and using his particular set of skills he's somehow an action movie guy. Liverpool supporters have been telling anyone who would listen that The Reds...

Five Defenders to Fix Liverpool – #3 Issa Diop

If there are any football fans out there who haven’t yet become aware of Liverpool’s need for an improvement in the heart of the defence, then they are likely living in a willful ignorance of the kind that Liverpool fans can only dream of. Instead, for those clad in Red, a recurring “head in...

Red Rant: We Don’t Need No VVD

I’m all for the unsubstantiated transfer rumour. Football itself and certainly Twitter wouldn’t be the same without them. The incremental steps, when Liverpool is rumoured to be monitoring a player, continuing to monitor, then comes the inquiring, then considering a bid, then surprise competition comes in from a rival club, and on and on… it’s...

Salah Showing Why We Can’t Settle for Second Best

Another game another Salah masterclass, the Egyptian has been the signing of the season by far and his two goals against the Saints puts him at the top of the Premier League goal scoring charts ahead of the likes of Aguero, Morata and Kane. There was a wave of apprehension surrounding the £35 million...

Liverpool 3 – 0 Southampton: Saints put to the Sword at Anfield

The Details Date: 18/11/2017 Venue: Anfield, Liverpool Background Premier League football returned today after the final international break of the year. Liverpool welcomed Southampton to Anfield. The Reds failed to score against the Saints in four meetings last season and would be hoping to put things right today. Joel Matip missed out through injury but Coutinho, Henderson and Mané were all fully...