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#2 Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool again weren’t at their best during Saturday’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion, as the Seagulls managed 12 shots on goal and had the league leaders on the ropes at times, particularly after goalkeeper Alisson Becker was sent off for a deliberate handball outside the box. Thankfully, the Reds could call upon Virgil Van Dijk, and the Dutch centre-back was at his imperious best.
Not only did Van Dijk score Liverpool’s two goals on Saturday – both powerful headers from Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses in the first half – but he also won more aerial duels than any other player in the match, completed 5 clearances to keep Brighton’s attackers at bay, and maintained a high pass success rate of 90%, with 55 accurate passes out of 61.
Liverpool’s deadly attack might gain the most plaudits but Van Dijk is probably their most important player; without him, who knows whether the Reds would still be 8 points clear at the top of the Premier League? Liverpool fans must feel lucky to have him.
