Liverpool: This is the FA Cup back four we want against West Brom
By David Gate
Center Back: Virgil van Dijk
We only have two games as a sample to base judgements on but Virgil van Dijk looks to be the business. He exudes the kind of confidence and leadership at the back we have not seen since Jamie Carragher retired.
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The Dutchman was imperious against Swansea as he marshaled the back four and took the ball forward at every opportunity. That performance comes after his match winning display against Everton in the third round. There is much to be excited about.
Now Liverpool have van Dijk in the side and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on set piece duty it actually feels like Liverpool may score from corners and free kicks. Van Dijk had two of our best chances on Monday; one went just wide of the post while the other was straight at the keeper.
I was surprised on Monday that we didn’t see Virgil van Dijk venture forward as an auxiliary striker in the last ten minutes. It is against Klopp’s usual methods to lump it forward to a big man but there are certain occasions where that could be an option. The game against West Brom could well be such an opportunity.