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#3 Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
Often it's the attacking players who get all the credit and accolades for their contribution to the team. But the biggest reason Liverpool is second in the League table this season and has the joint best defensive record is center back, Virgil Van Dijk.
Last season, the situation was uneasy for the Reds. Players like Lovren and Matip in defense and Kairus in goal didn't do enough in defense to earn the confidence of the manager. Liverpool was a team that could score beautiful goals on their day and also concede in a flash on the same day.
Frustrated with a dismal defensive record, Jurgen Klopp didn't waste any time to make Van Dijk the most expensive defender in history. After the arrival of the Dutchman in January 2019 and the acquisition of Allison in the following summer, the dynamism around Anfield has completely changed. Van Dijk's calm and commanding nature has reflected in Liverpool's performances with the strikers having the luxury to go on the attack without worrying much about defending.
