Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk is ready to test himself against Everton star Romelu Lukaku this Saturday.
Back in August and prior to van Dijk’s £13m move from Celtic on last summer’s transfer deadline day, sharpshooter Lukaku ripped apart Saints’ defence, scoring a brace in a deflating 3-0 defeat at St Mary’s.
“Oh yes, it’s always good to come up against good strikers,” said the giant 6ft4inch centre-back with a smile, when asked if he’s looking forward to the challenge that Lukaku poses.
“That’s what I want and he wants to come up against good defenders to match him.
“I just want to do well and make sure he doesn’t score and make sure we keep a clean sheet.”
The 24-year-old says he must be at his most focused to silence the former Chelsea man.
“I have seen what he can do,” he told the Daily Echo. “I’ve seen a lot of games of him already and he’s a good striker. He’s going pretty well this season, so I need to make sure I’m ready.
“He’s strong, very athletic, he can finish with his left and right and he’s just a dangerous striker.
“He can jump, hold the ball and he has good link-up with (Gerard) Deulofeu. They’re very dangerous.”
Source: tribalfootball.com