Timo Werner vs Virgil van Dijk
Two world class performers who could have been teammates this summer – but the German chose Stamford Bridge as his inevitable Premier League destination.
At Leipzig Werner bagged 34 goals in 2019/20 – with his 28 more than any other player in the Bundesliga except, of course, Robert Lewandowski.
His battle with the nonchalant Rolls Royce that is Virgil van Dijk will be key as to whether Chelsea do break down Liverpool’s somewhat shaky back-line of late.
Van Dijk has actually made three errors leading to goal in the last two seasons – the most by any outfield player – albeit the one at Craven Cottage in 2019 was as much Alisson’s fault as his.
We can also forgive a few errors due to his nonchalance because that is what makes him so good and why he makes this team tick.
His battle against Werner, as well as likely partner Joe Gomez, is so vital to the end result because if the striker gets a sniff, that could be game, set and match before a whistle is blown, or ball kicked.