What Virgil van Dijk has done ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea Premier League clash

The big Premier League game after the international break is over will be at Anfield where Liverpool take on Chelsea

It could be quite the contest between Liverpool and Chelsea after the international break. The Reds are flying high, leading the way at the top of the Premier League table after seven games.

They have won six and lost one of those games to sit on 18 points - one clear of big rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. The Reds have conceded just two goals in the process, clearly showing they mean business this year under new boss Arne Slot.

Many expected Chelsea to struggle under their own new boss, with huge changes taking place at Stamford Bridge. But it has been a solid start for Enzo Maresca.

The Blues are fourth in the early season standings, four points off the pace after four wins, two draws and a solitary defeat from seven matches. It could be a thriller at Anfield on October 20 - the Sky Sports Super Sunday clash.

As if it wasn't already going to be hard enough for the Blues, however, given the form Liverpool are in, they've been handed another little setback during the international break.

That has not come in the form of an injury to one of their key players, but more in the form of a key Liverpool player getting an unexpected rest. Virgil van Dijk will be well rested for the clash with Chelsea as he will play no part in the Netherlands' tricky-looking Nations League clash with Germany on Monday night.

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That is because the Dutch captain was sent off for two yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday night. Van Dijk will now be suspended for the Germany clash, meaning training with his Dutch teammates - and then his Liverpool ones - will be all he does between now and the match with Chelsea next weekend.

Van Dijk has been hugely integral to Liverpool's incredible defensive record so far this season, playing every minute of every game in the Premier League so far.

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