Virgil van Dijk needs to play just 29 minutes vs Aston Villa to break Liverpool record
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on Friday evening, and Virgil van Dijk is on course to make history.The Reds head into the game level on points with Unai Emery’s side and four points above sixth-place Bournemouth.Arne Slot provided a positive team news update before the match, with a few players potentially returning.Meanwhile, Van Dijk will break Jamie Carragher’s record for most minutes played by an outfield player in a single campaign as long as he plays more than 28 minutes on May 15. Give us your predictions for Liverpool’s crucial trip to Villa Park this Friday Will the Reds finally secure Champions League qualification?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Paul Ellis/AFP Virgil van Dijk to surpass Jamie Carragher for most minutes playedIn the 2007/08 season, former Liverpool centre-back Carragher played 4,789 minutes of football in all competitions for the Reds.Meanwhile, Van Dijk, amid a serious lack of depth at centre-back this term, has already notched 4,761 minutes across all competitions.That means as long as the Dutchman plays 29 minutes between now and the end of the season, he will take the record (outfield players only) off Carragher.Aside from Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, the Reds have no quality centre-back options this season.Giovanni Leoni is injured, and Jeremy Jacquet is not signing until the summer transfer window. In turn, there’s a very good chance the record is surpassed in the first half of this week’s Premier League meeting.
Should Curtis Jones keep his place at right-back against Aston Villa? Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC Liverpool can break record against Aston VillaBut it is not just Van Dijk who could be in the record books after Friday night’s match.If Liverpool win this week, it will be their 36th league victory at Villa Park.They have never won away at a stadium more than 35 times throughout their history, also matching that total at Everton.And while Liverpool’s recent form suggests three points on Friday are unlikely, Villa should be more focused on their upcoming Europa League final.Emery’s side have also experienced a decline in league results of late, while they have not beaten the Merseyside outfit in any competition since 2020 when they secured that shock 7-2 win.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox