‘In my view’: Garth Crooks insists 31-year-old is Liverpool’s ‘most important’ player right now

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Garth Crooks is convinced of Liverpool’s most important player right now. The Reds have a few they rely on quite heavily.

Garth Crooks named two Liverpool players in his Premier League Team of the Week for the BBC. Both Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk got the nod – and understandably so.

Robertson had a fantastic game from the get-go. He was arguably the most influential player going forward in the first-half, in fact, and picked up an assist for the opener.

Van Dijk got on the score sheet himself, grabbing the Reds’ second goal. He was also solid defensively despite a very open game – the Dutchman found himself in an isolated backline fairly often.

Crooks took his performance as a great sign for Liverpool. Having started the season poorly, here was a suggestion that Van Dijk is well and truly back to his best.

And the Reds get their ‘most important’ player back in the process.

Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s most important player

“There was a time when Virgil Van Dijk was making my team selection on a weekly basis,” said Crooks. “The Netherlands captain’s loss in form affected Liverpool so badly, they dropped out of the top four.

“However, their impressive victory at Tottenham before the international break sent a sharp signal to the rest of the league that they might be over their difficulties – and are making a bid to regain their place among the elite.

“Van Dijk took his Liverpool form with him to the World Cup and brought it back to Villa Park too. He is, in my view, the most important player in the Liverpool team – and that includes Mohamed Salah and Alisson.”

Van Dijk is the best centre-back in the world on his day and it does feel as though he’s back to his best. We’d also agree that he’s the most important player in this side when he’s firing.

The 31-year-old keeps the defence solid and the confidence he generates for everyone else is remarkable. The difference in Liverpool pre and post-Van Dijk is stark.

Thankfully, he does seem to be at his best once again and the team is far better for it.