Virgil van Dijk is why this Liverpool team can succeed where other recent Anfield pace-setters slipped up
Virgil van Dijk does not take up positions. He marks territories. Molineux is the latest venue for Liverpool’s centre-back to plant his victory flag, in doing so demonstrating why Jurgen Klopp can succeed where the club’s other recent title pacesetters failed.
Many will look to Van Dijk’s goal against Wolves, Liverpool’s second, but it was the nonchalant shrug on Adama Traore early in the second half that typified his excellence, the striker’s whippet pace nullified with ease. Attackers need a Satnav to find a way past Van Dijk. His headed clearances have become so routine they are barely noted. He has become a £75 million bargain.
Not that you will hear premature adulation for his charges from Klopp, who recoils at the hint of individual praise above collective excellence. This was Liverpool’s 11th Premier League clean sheet of the season. The last time they won the title in 1990 they kept 12.
“He is an outstanding player, but we have to do it around him,” said Klopp. “I love the boy, but the midfielders have to do a lot more running so he does not have to.”
Klopp is naturally cautious in victory and resistant to negativity in defeat, but he is overseeing a new world at Liverpool. Contrary to the perception beyond Anfield, Liverpool’s followers have been seasoned fatalists.
Triumphant moods following momentous victories – especially in Europe – disguise inner fear a trophy-sacrificing calamity is in the post. Even in a history as rich as Liverpool’s there are scarred memories. Think of goalkeeping error in Kiev this year; the captain’s slip in 2014; the title bid that faltered at the hands of Manchester United non-entity Federico Macheda in 2009. No other club has lost a title on its own pitch with the last kick of a season, as Liverpool did in 1989.
There are enough celebrated wins to erase these traumas but even with this record-breaking team there is a fear Klopp is guiding the first team in history towards 90 points and finishing runners-up. Potentially positive omens are not what they seem. Klopp’s team were reminded upon arrival at Molineux the team who are top of the Premier League on Christmas Day are usually champions come May.
Then you inspect that particular curiosity and note in the last 10 years the two pertinent exceptions to the rule. Brendan Rodgers’s Liverpool in 2013 and Rafa Benitez’s team in 2008.
The more superstitious in the away end did not know what constituted a good result here.
Then they see Mohamed Salah cleverly flicking his 11th Premier League goal of the season – top scorer in England again – and momentarily those fears are banished. Liverpool can lull you into thinking they are not clicking, not as sharp as is often the case, the first touch exchanges not quite finding their ultimate target on a slippy surface.
A minute later they strike with a brilliant one-two on the right between Fabinho and Sadio Mane, Salah in place to puncture home optimism. In a moment, the opponent’s game plan of containment is ripped up, suddenly faced with a pressing task as formidable as stopping the front three – beating Van Dijk.
He had to be world class here because there were moments of discomfort for Liverpool’s defence.
Dejan Lovren was taking air swipes, Alisson Becker was indulging in Cruyff turns again and Naby Keita – subbed early in the second half – continues to look like he needs longer to adjust to the pace and power of English football. He may have the skill, but stamina issues are a concern.
Van Dijk, naturally, was unflustered.
Rodgers’s and Benitez’s teams had the firepower in Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres. They had the midfield dynamism of Steven Gerrard.
They did not have the defensive fortitude and technical brilliance of Van Dijk.
