OPINION
Troy Deeney is a man who doesn’t mince his words.
The Watford captain is well known for telling it like it is, whether he has been asked to or not, and he certainly didn’t beat around the bush when talking about Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk earlier this season.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live, as quoted in the Liverpool Echo, Deeney described how much he dislikes playing against the Dutchman.
He said: “I’ve said it many times, I hate him. I hate going up against him. He’s too big, too strong, too quick, too good on the ball, loves fighting, a good head of hair.
“One of those guys that sprays on his top as well, so it smells lovely! When he runs past you, it’s like ‘I can’t catch you, but…”
As far as Deeney-isms go, van Dijk may feel relieved to have gotten off with such a glowing review, but it hints at just how important the centre-half will be on Wednesday night.
Make no mistake, Watford represent a sizeable banana skin for Liverpool. They are a well-organised, hungry unit capable of doing serious damage to any side in the league.
If they are to get somethings at Anfield, however, it will almost certainly be a smash and grab job, a resolute defensive display capped off with a single piece of ruthless finishing.
And that’s where van Dijk comes in. So much of the fight and tenacity that Watford have is dependent on Deeney being able to rile his troops up.
When he’s charging around the field like a bull in a china shop it tends to heat the blood of his colleagues, and you can visibly see how the Hornets step their game up when the captain rallies.
If van Dijk can stifle the skipper, therefore, you can bet that the Reds’ task will be a whole load simpler.
