An unfortunate Chelsea player saw his relationship with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk a bad start-all-all because of an eruption of two words when they first met
Levi Colwill succeeded in getting one on Virgil van Dijk after two years of waiting while Chelsea Liverpool defeated Stamford Bridge. The defeat is possible Smarted for Van Dijk after the Reds -defender was not impressed by the Blues star together in their first collision.
Colill's result finally saw almost two years after an uncomfortable meeting with the Reds skipper of Van Dijk. The 22-year-old played the full game when the side of Enzo Maresca insured three crucial points in their search for Champions League qualification.
Premier League champion Van Dijk had a day that he would probably rather forget, despite the score of a comfort goal. That is after the Liverpool defense three had admitted to Stamford Bridge-included one own goal after the approval of Van Dijk in the Net van Jarell Quansah was channeled in the net.
For the first time, Colwill tasted the victory over Liverpool in January 2023 while making his senior debut against the Merseysiders while he was on loan in Brighton. The result of Sunday, however, marked the first time he was at the top in a match where Van Dijk also played.
The star born in Southampton would have been a marked man after a rocky start of their rivalry. And it all started when Colwill provoked his rival with a jibe of two words during his Chelsea debut in August 2023.
“I remember marking him in the box,” he told TNT Sports (via Football.London) last year. “He said something to me and I might have told him that he had to” keep. “
“He looked at me as:” Who is this little boy? ” I thought, “Ahh I just didn't respect him.” But that's it, my bad. [crazy]. I just looked at him and thought I want to be as or better when I am older when I could, but he is a baller. “
Chelsea and Liverpool played a 1-1 draw that day at Stamford Bridge, in which Axel Disasi earned a point for the blues after the opener of Luis Diaz. Colwill also played the full game on that occasion and remains unbeaten in three home games against the Reds.
It must be emphasized that Liverpool traveled to the capital somewhat light in their XI after he had conquered the Premier League crown over time. Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah earned every rare starts at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez scored together with Quansah's own goal to seal a 3-1 home win. Chelsea is in the fifth, but Nottingham Forest is still breathing in their necks and can go on points with the blues if they win their game in hand in Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
While Trevoh Chalobah was shining in the defense of Chelsea, Colwill was also an impression on a steadfast representation, while Liverpool dominated the possession for long periods. He won every tackle he tried, completed 89.8% of his passes and made five approvals in a solid day work.
In an alternative universe, Colwill could have been next to Van Dijk this season in line in Liverpool. Allegedly the Reds loved the versatile defender last year, but Chelsea managed to ward off interest and retain their star.
The younger still strives to regain the shape that made him a Premier League sensation during his loan period at the Amex Stadium. Nevertheless, he has become a crucial part of the line of defense of Chelsea, which only admitted 41 league goals this season.
Although he can restore his first meeting with Van Dijk, the result of Sunday Colwill gives a little more leverage in their rivalry. It also determines the scene for another fiery face-off next season, when Chelsea will challenge the team of Slot for the Premier League title.