Liverpool desperately need him

There is no doubt Liverpool need Virgil van Dijk. The Reds have struggled at the back in the 2017-18 season. While Liverpool have only conceded three times at Anfield this season, their defensive collapses on the road have been particularly worrying.

Liverpool squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Arsenal last weekend after defensive lapses from Simon Mignolet and Joe Gomez. Liverpool have a substandard defence.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gomez are prospects for the future, but Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and Mignolet are not good enough for a team with title ambitions. Van Dijk is the first step towards readdressing the imbalance in the Liverpool team. Next on the list has to be a proven goalkeeper.

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Commanding centre-half

One of the big problems in the Liverpool defence has been a lack of communication. The Reds have conceded 23 times in 20 games in the 2017-18 campaign. Liverpool conceded 11 times against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur on the road.

Without a leader at the back to orchestrate Klopp’s defence, Liverpool FC are suspectible to defensive collapses. Van Dijk established himself as the Southampton club captain and undisputed leader at the back during his 24 months at St Mary’s.

As a dominant centre-half, Van Dijk’s leadership skills should result in better organisation at the back.

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More mobile than Klopp’s current options

Lovren, Klavan and Matip all look uncomfortable when lured out of their centre-half position and into wide areas. The Croatia international has a tendency to make rash challenges and to concede soft free-kicks.

Klavan and Matip lack mobility, which is something opponents have been able to exploit. Van Dijk, though, is comfortable tracking forward players to wide areas of the pitch. The Netherlands international is quick and is capable of matching the acceleration of even the quickest Premier league strikers.