Before Virgil van Dijk’s arrival at Liverpool in January 2018, Jurgen Klopp’s team were electric going forward but fragile at the back. The defence, anchored by the likes of Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan, lacked consistency and cohesion. No centre-back pairing had convinced. Then came Van Dijk.
The Dutchman’s impact was immediate and immense. With an imposing physical presence, impeccable positional awareness, and unshakable composure, Van Dijk transformed Liverpool’s back line into one of the most formidable in Europe. He wins aerial duels with ease, reads danger before it materialises, and exudes calm that elevates those around him. The numbers spoke for themselves, Liverpool conceded 1.2 goals per game before his arrival in the 2017/18 season, which dropped to just 0.79 per game after he joined.
Success soon followed. Van Dijk was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019, finished runner-up to Lionel Messi in that year’s Ballon d’Or, and famously went 50 Premier League matches without being dribbled past. He then helped secure Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years, lifting the Premier League trophy in 2020.
Arguably, Van Dijk’s arrival had allowed Klopp to fully unleash his ge-genpressing philosophy. His reliability at the back meant Liverpool could defend with fewer numbers, enabling full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to push forward at any opportunity and create overlaps. His precise, line-breaking diagonal passes to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane often launched attacks, making him a playmaker from centre-half. Van Dijk’s influence had raised the standards across the entire squad. His presence demanded excellence, and he got it.
However, even the best footballers face adversity. In 2020, a reckless challenge by Jordan Pickford ruptured Van Dijk’s ACL, sidelining him for months. Many wondered whether he would return to his ‘Rolls Royce’ best. Van Dijk returned within a year and, despite the physical setback, quickly reasserted himself as one of the game’s elite defenders.
In 2023, he was named Liverpool captain following the departure of Jordan Henderson. It marked the end of an era, the dismantling of a team that had conquered Europe and England. Van Dijk, now a senior figure, became the standard-bearer for a new generation. His leadership, professionalism, and unrelenting drive offered a model for younger players navigating a period of transition.
The following year, Klopp’s announcement that he would step down at the end of the 2023/24 season threatened to destabilise the squad. But once again, Van Dijk was the steadying force.
Now under new manager Arne Slot, Van Dijk’s role continues to evolve. Slot favours a more structured, possession-based style compared to Klopp’s high-pressing. Van Dijk’s intelligence and passing range have become even more vital. He now steps into midfield zones more often, helping Liverpool progress the ball under pressure and control games through measured build-up. The high defensive line remains, but it’s less reliant on pace and more on anticipation, a quality Van Dijk possesses in abundance.
At 34, his pace may no longer be what it once was, but his timing, reading of the game and positional sense more than compensate. His new two-year contract came to the relief of Liverpool fans, and he went on to lift the Premier League title in May.
Yet perhaps his greatest challenge lies not in tactics or trophies, but in leading his teammates through tragedy. The tragic loss of Diogo Jota has shaken Liverpool Football Club to its core. For Van Dijk, now more than ever, the role of captain transcends the pitch. He will set the standard, not just in his performances, but in compassion and unity. The good times will come again, and they will take care of themselves, but when they do it will be because leaders like Van Dijk held firm when it mattered most.
