The tension in the Liverpool dressing room ahead of tonight’s trip to the Emirates isn’t about the usual suspects. While the media focuses on the blistering pace of Bukayo Saka or the relentless clinical finishing of Viktor Gyökeres, the whispers coming out of the AXA Training Centre suggest a different, more psychological battle is brewing.
Even a titan like Virgil van Dijk, a man rarely ruffled by the world’s best strikers, has admitted to a specific unease.
The Unseen Threat: Martin Ødegaard
According to insiders and Van Dijk’s own candid admissions, the “true problem” isn’t the man putting the ball in the net—it’s the architect who decides exactly how and when the defense will crumble. Martin Ødegaard has become the phantom in Liverpool’s defensive machinery.
> “I’m worried about the upcoming match even though we’ve won many big games; when it comes to this player, I’m genuinely cautious,” Van Dijk revealed.
>
The concern stems from Ødegaard’s “terrifying power” of vision. While Saka and Gyökeres rely on physical duels—areas where Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté typically excel—Ødegaard operates in the “half-spaces,” those pockets of air between the midfield and defense that are notoriously difficult to track.
Why Ødegaard is the “Main Concern”
* The Ghost Lead: Unlike a traditional striker, Ødegaard drops deep, pulling Liverpool’s holding midfielders out of position.
* The Weight of Pass: Van Dijk noted that Ødegaard’s ability to “disguise” a pass until the millisecond of release makes it impossible for defenders to step up for an offside trap.
* The High Press: He isn’t just a playmaker; he triggers the Arsenal press, often forcing errors from goalkeepers—a direct threat to Alisson’s ball-playing style.
Slot’s Tactical Response
Arne Slot is reportedly preparing a “cage” for the Arsenal captain. By starting Curtis Jones alongside Ryan Gravenberch, Slot is opting for mobility over the static positioning of a traditional #6. Jones will likely be tasked with a “shadowing” role—sticking to Ødegaard like glue to prevent him from turning and facing the Liverpool goal.
Key Match-Up to Watch
| Arsenal Catalyst | Liverpool Enforcer | The Battleground |
|—|—|—|
| Martin Ødegaard | Curtis Jones | The “Zone 14” (Top of the box) |
| Viktor Gyökeres | Virgil van Dijk | Aerial duels & physical strength |
If Liverpool can disconnect the “brain” of the Arsenal attack, the “limbs” (Saka and Gyökeres) might find themselves starved of service. But as Van Dijk warned, stopping Ødegaard is easier said than done.
About The Author
