Shane Duffy’s Premier League statistics have been mightily impressive this season but they took a hit against Liverpool.
The Ireland international has helped Brighton to six clean sheets and, at the beginning of the weekend, 10th place after a string of excellent defensive performances. Duffy leads the way, in the league, for clearances, blocks and interceptions [121] and is nine clear of the next best, Burnley’s James Tarkowski.
He is averaging just under six defensive headers per game, too, but he did not have his own way against Liverpool.
Ahead of the game, there were a few fans suggesting Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp should be keeping a close eye on the Derry native during the league clash.
#lfc a chance for Klopp to see Shane Duffy – should be LFCs no 1 target in January
— Peter Fry (@peterwfry) December 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ckel9/status/936971909991948288
Shane Duffy gonna cause havoc from set pieces ffs. He's four inches taller than any of our starters + he's amazing in the air.
— EBL (@EBL2017) December 2, 2017
The first 30 minutes went to plan as Brighton looked comfortable at the back while testing the Liverpool defence. That plan went awry in the space of two minutes, however, and few could believe what they were seeing.
Philippe Coutinho sent in an out-swinging corner and Duffy was on alert.
Using Glen Murray and teammate Dejan Lovren as a screen, Emre Can got a run on the zonally marking Duffy.
With Murray also jumping, Duffy got slightly under the ball and was done for. Can steamed in and powered a header home.
Few could actually comprehend the fact that Duffy had been out-jumped for a set-piece in his own box.
https://twitter.com/michaelot97/status/936984674454339586
Emer Can beating the human heading machine Shane Duffy #LFC
— Owen Webb O Rourke (@OwenWebbORourke) December 2, 2017
They said nobody could beat Shane Duffy in the air until Emre Can showed up
— Morgan Boyd (@MorganB1229) December 2, 2017
Liverpool went 3-0 up until Duffy was fouled in the Reds box, by Jordan Henerson, and Murray pulled one back.
His threat from set-pieces can’t be doubted but Liverpool have proved Duffy is human after all.
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