Both Paul Merson and Jamie Carragher think Virgil van Dijk will be able to contend with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on Saturday evening.
The Blues travel to Anfield to take on the Reds this weekend in what should be a fantastic clash in the third round of Premier League fixtures.
One of the most entertaining head-to-head duels on the pitch will no doubt be Lukaku coming up against Liverpool defender Van Dijk.
Many consider the Netherlands captain to be one of the best central defenders in world football, with Lukaku often touted as one of the strongest strikers.
The two stars are both very physical and speedy players which means the battle could be very entertaining to watch at Anfield.
However, both Merson and Carragher have predicted the duel to go the Liverpool defender's way.
The former, Merson, wrote this in his Sky Sports column: "You've got Virgil van Dijk who is a Rolls Royce of a player. Will Lukaku go and pick Van Dijk to play on? I don't think so.
"That is what Chelsea will have to do - try and take Van Dijk out of the game - but Van Dijk is so cute and will just come around Lukaku if he is being pinned.
"Van Dijk's pace allows Liverpool to take that risk of playing higher safe in the knowledge he will deal with that ball over the top.
"But Lukaku is willing to run, he's both quick and powerful, and just adds a completely new dimension to Chelsea's attack, which previously didn't have powerful runners off the ball and in behind.
"Not many people are willing to run without the ball but Lukaku is, and if Liverpool play that high line all it will take is for Lukaku to latch onto one ball in behind and it'll be see you later."
Carragher agrees with his Sky Sports colleague, saying this on Monday Night Football recently: "Liverpool won’t change for Chelsea but Van Dijk is the one player, certainly in the Premier League, who will fancy his chances up against Lukaku.
"It’s going to be a great battle but Liverpool, I have no doubt, will be looking to push up to the halfway line.
"What we saw [against Arsenal] from Lukaku doesn’t mean he’s going to do that to every defender.
"It was bad organisation. He’s a handful, he’s a top striker and he will score lots of goals but a lot of that was caused by Arsenal.”
