Liverpool fans have rejoiced at the prospect of Chelsea defender David Luiz facing their effervescent strikeforce tonight when they travel to Stamford Bridge.
John Terry's ankle injury has presented the first opportunity for Luiz to stake a claim for a first-team role again with the Blues following his deadline-day return to the Bridge from PSG.
Antonio Conte yesterday confirmed that Luiz would start at the heart of the Chelsea defence alongside Gary Cahill and Liverpool supporters believe the Brazilian's presence in the backline hands them an advantage.
A thrilling forward line of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have helped the Reds to score nine goals from their opening four games, a total bettered only by Manchester City (11) and matched by Chelsea.
But the statistics paint a slightly different story.
Luiz actually prevails in a number of key areas against Firmino, Coutinho and Mane, as well as Daniel Sturridge, who could appear against his former side although most probably from the bench.
The numbers are taken from Luiz's three matches with PSG prior to his move to Chelsea in the closing stages of the summer transfer window, with the Brazilian coming out on top most pertinently in his aerial success rate and his overall duel success rate.
He is superior to Mane and Sturridge (33%) in the air (56%) and the Senegalese forward is also the closest to Luiz (51%) when it comes to his performance in overall duels.
Given Conte's preference for a ball-playing central defender, his passing completion of 93% from his opening three games this term (albeit in Ligue 1) is positive news for Blues fans, as is his 100% take-on completion rate as he looks to help build attacks from deep.
Ultimately, tonight will prove a test for Luiz and the Chelsea defence against a blossoming Liverpool frontline, but the Reds' fans jibes towards him on social media appear extremely premature.
These stats were provided by Fantasy Football game Oulala.com .
