With only one man in Europe’s top leagues playing more minutes than Virgil van Dijk this season, the Liverpool captain is to overtake a tally set by Jamie Carragher.
Only Genoa’s Johan Vazquez has played more than Van Dijk for club and country this season.
Should he play against Aston Villa, Liverpool’s captain will overtake Carragher’s tally of 4,789 minutes played in 2007/2008.
Van Dijk has racked up 4,761 minutes for Liverpool this campaign, so he will have to play just 28 minutes to surpass Carragher and play more minutes than any Red in a season over the last two decades.
Liverpool’s success at Villa Park
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 19, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) celebrates with team-mate captain Virgil van Dijk after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have won more league games (96) and amassed more league points against Aston Villa (331), converting to three points for a win, than they have against any other club.
Have lost two of the last 24 league visits to Villa Park – and won eight of the last 11.
The Reds have lost five of the last 42 league meetings home and away, while the last two trips to Villa Park have been drawn 2-2 and 3-3.
The last 17 encounters in all competitions have produced 65 goals, an average of almost four per game.
Res Opposition Comp Score
D Burnley (A) Premier League 2-2
W Nott’m Forest (H) Europa League 4-0
L Tottenham (H) Premier League 1-2
L Nott’m Forest (A) Europa League 1-0
Forty-five goals have been scored in the last nine Villa Park league and cup encounters, with Liverpool scoring 24.
The Reds have scored at least twice in each of the last eight league visits and in 10 of the last 11.
Their only loss in the last 11 visits saw Villa win 7-2 in October 2020 in a fixture played behind closed doors. It is their only defeat in the last 16 clashes, home and away.
The Reds’ struggles on the road
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's 10 Alexis Mac Allister reacts after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Manchester United won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Liverpool may have a good record at Villa Park, their recent history on the road makes for less positive reading.
If Liverpool fail to beat Unai Emery’s side, the seven away league victories achieved this campaign will be their second-lowest tally since 2012/13.
Arne Slot‘s side currently have a goal difference of -2 for away games in the current Premier League this season.
Only once in the last 10 seasons have they finished a league season with a negative goal difference on the road in the Premier League. In 2022/23, they had a -1 goal difference.
The Reds have lost eight of their last 16 away league fixtures, as many as they lost in the 49 outings prior to this run.
In all competitions, they have let in 73 goals – their biggest number since 79 in 1992/93.
This season’s scorers
Aston Villa: Watkins 17, Rogers 12, Buendia 10, McGinn 9, Malen 7, Abraham 3, Barkley 3, Cash 3, Guessand 2, Konsa 2, Onana 2, Bailey 1, Elliott 1, Jimoh-Aloba 1, Kamara 1, Douglas Luiz 1, Maatsen 1, Mings 1, Sancho 1, Tielemans 1, own goals 3
Liverpool: Ekitike 17, Szoboszlai 13, Salah 12, Gakpo 9, Wirtz 7, Gravenberch 6, Van Dijk 6, Mac Allister 5, Isak 4, Chiesa 3, Robertson 3, Frimpong 2, Jones 2, Kerkez 2, Konate 2, Ngumoha 2, own goals 3
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).