Giroud: We Are Not Afraid Of Van Dijk

By Joshua Walters

By Joshua Walters

Olivier Giroud says Chelsea are not afraid of Virgil van Dijk ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday. 

Virgil van Dijk has been a revelation for Jurgen Klopp's side since joining Liverpool from Southampton in January last year and has guarded Liverpool to concede just 20 goals, the least in the season, in the Premier League.

Subsequently, the Reds are top on the Premier League table with 82 points, two points above second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Chelsea, who are third on the League table with 66 points, will, however, endeavor to dent the title aspirations of Liverpool just as they did in 2014.
"I've played against him personally a few times and it has always been a tough position because he is very good and very strong, but I've scored a few goals playing against his teams," said Giroud as quoted by Sky Sports.

"I lost against him when we played the Netherlands recently, but I won last year and scored at Stamford Bridge, and scored the winner at the Stade de France against the Netherlands a few months ago."

"We don't have to be scared and no matter who plays we will be 100 per cent focused on winning the game."

Olivier Giroud has impressed for Chelsea in the Europa League this season with nine of his 11 goals in all competitions coming in Europe's second club tournament.

The veteran forward scored the goal for Chelsea in their 1-0 win against Van Dijk's Liverpool a year ago, and the French world cup winner has mixed memories coming up against the Dutch centre-back.