VIRGIL van Dijk faced a nightmare scenario against Manchester City on Sunday. Indeed, the Liverpool defender found himself isolated against Erling Haaland who had an entire half of the pitch to gallop into with the ball at his feet. A lesser player would have crumbled. Van Dijk, however, diffused the situation.

It wasn’t so long ago that van Dijk was widely considered to be in decline. The Dutchman had long established himself as one of the best centre backs of the Premier League era, but his powers appeared to be on the wane. This season, though, van Dijk has rediscovered his best form to lead Liverpool’s title charge.

In the midst of a transitional season marred by injuries, van Dijk’s leadership qualities have come to the fore. Jordan Henderson left Liverpool for Saudi Arabia last summer while James Milner departed for Brighton. This was before Mohamed Salah suffered an injury while at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Egyptian winger still not fit enough to start.

Technically and physically, van Dijk is one of the best natural defenders to have ever played in the Premier League, but his experience has given him an aura that has helped Liverpool through some difficult moments this season. Trailing 1-0 to Manchester City with a team full of youngsters and fringe players, Liverpool could have faltered. Van Dijk endured they didn’t.

Jarell Quansah has benefited more than most Liverpool players from playing alongside van Dijk recently. The 21-year-old has started six Premier League matches – including Sunday’s game against City – this season and has the makings of the Reds’ next dominant centre back. Quansah could hardly hope for a better mentor than van Dijk.

Van Dijk could depart Anfield this summer. The 32-year-old made some noteworthy comments following news of Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, with van Dijk “curious” about how the club will react. “That’s a big question. I don’t know,” he said when asked whether he saw himself being part of the next Liverpool era.

“The club will have a big job on their hands, that is well known. To replace the manager and replace not only the manager, the staff is leaving, and there are so many things that will change. So the club has a big job on its hands and I am very curious which direction that will go in. But when that will be announced we will see our situation, I can’t say now.”

There are similar questions around Salah’s future at Anfield with the Egyptian a known target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Ideally, Liverpool would keep Salah and van Dijk – who is out of contract next summer – for next season to limit the knock-on effect of Klopp leaving, but if they can only keep one they should look to die down the latter first.

While Liverpool have a number of top-quality attacking options who have filled in for Salah in his absence recently, they don’t have anyone else like van Dijk – because there is no other centre back on his level in the Premier League. Liverpool simply can’t afford to lose Klopp and van Dijk in the one summer.

Of course, there’s a title race to be decided before then and van Dijk is the driving force behind Liverpool’s challenge. There is just one point between the three teams at the top of the Premier League table, making this season’s title race the hardest to predict in recent memory. One entirely predictable thing, however, is that van Dijk will be central to Liverpool’s chances.

Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.