Dave Maddock is usually spot on, so we were delighted when we read his tweet from late last night.
The journalist is claiming that Virgil van Dijk is a guaranteed starter against Chelsea today at Stamford Bridge, although the Dutchman will be playing through the pain barrier after hurting his ribs last week v Southampton.
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Van Dijk missed our midweek defeat to Chelsea in the EFL Cup, with our defence nowhere near as solid without his brilliant calming influence.
Virgil van Dijk WILL play at Chelsea…through the pain barrier: Jurgen Klopp explains: “Virgil will try everything to be ready – the boys play constantly with pain. If he is able to deal with it then he can play.”#LFC https://t.co/U0PbwLZAU8
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) September 28, 2018
It will be great to see van Dijk back, preferably alongside Joe Gomez. The duo have formed an exceptional partnership at the back, which has seen Klopp’s Reds concede just two Premier League goals this term.
Van Dijk marshals the backline, but Gomez is expert at stepping out from defence and starting our attacks, as well as offering us jaw-dropping recovery pace.
With van Dijk and Gomez in central defence, Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne will come out of the team for Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Between the sticks, Alisson will start ahead of Simon Mignolet.
Bring it on!