Questions asked after RECORD-BREAKING Virgil van Dijk display
Is it a good thing when a defender has a lot to do? Actually, the answer to that question is a resounding 'no'.
A better question is: should you be happy when a defender does a lot well. Virgil van Dijk put in a historic performance on Friday as he tried to keep Bournemouth at bay.
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The Dutchman was fantastic and absolutely dominant against the Cherries. But in a way that he isn't usually.
The headline stat is this: Van Dijk cleared the ball 17 times. That's a monster figure and the most he's ever cleared the ball in a Premier League game.
For some perspective on that, the most he cleared a ball last season was 13 times away at Everton. The second was 11 times away at Manchester United.
In other words, unique fixtures that bring about a different type of football. Friday was supposed to be fairly routine but the strange stats keep on coming.
13 of those clearances were headed - and that again is a record. In fact, Van Dijk's number of headed clearances alone was enough to equal his total best last season.
Another way to show how strange this was: Van Dijk made 11 clearances across both combined fixtures against Bournemouth last season. Something was different last night and it is slightly concerning.
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Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth
Now, let's not be too negative because Liverpool did win and they scored some incredible goals. That Federico Chiesa winner was a truly sensational moment.
But defensively, Liverpool were lacking. Bournemouth were consistently able to get through the press and attack the backline, with ample opportunities to get the ball into the box.
Hence Van Dijk's clearances.
Now, positionally, Liverpool weren't enormously different from last season. The formation was the same, most of the players were the same.
The major differences, certainly defensively, were a lack of Ryan Gravenberch in the middle, two new very-attacking full-backs, and Florian Wirtz being the first part of the midfield press.
The reality is that all probably contributed to Liverpool leaking chances. There are a lot of moving parts here and it's only natural that the team isn't as solid as last season.
But Arne Slot needs to figure out the shape of this team - and how to bring about the solidity of last season. Otherwise, there are enormous questions over the consistency of this team and it's ability to fight for the title.
There's only so much Van Dijk can do, after all. Liverpool can't ask him to bring about 17 clearances each and every match - not if they want to compete.
It's a learning process now and we do believe the questions will be answered. For now, we're just grateful that Van Dijk is there to sure things up while the squad adjusts.
But let's hope it was a one-off.
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