Liverpool lacked leaders until signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January, according to Ian Rush.
Mohamed Salah may be on his way to winning the Golden Boot and PFA Player of the Year, but Ian Rush has suggested Virgil van Dijk has been more important for Liverpool.
The Dutchman joined the Reds from Southampton in January and has made a solid start to life at Anfield, fixing what had long been a problem position for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Not only has van Dijk looked a level above players like Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip, but those around him have generally looked more solid and assured by having him marshalling their back line.
Rush believes the 26-year-old has added leadership to a side that was lacking in it before, suggesting he’s arguably been the most important figure in Liverpool’s season.
“Van Dijk has made a big difference. He’s been absolutely fantastic,” Rush told the London Evening Standard.
“He’s been absolutely amazing and it’s no coincidence that since he’s came in we’ve kept some clean sheets.
“He’s organising people, and I think we lacked that before. We didn’t have a leader.”
Liverpool certainly look a more balanced side now with that added solidity at the back, allowing the likes of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to work their magic at the other end.
Many will have questioned Jurgen Klopp forking out a reported £75million for Van Dijk, but it’s looking money well spent now to add balance to a team whose many fine attacking displays were wasted due to so many repeated errors at the back.
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