Virgil van Dijk has allowed Jurgen Klopp's brand of attacking football to be realised at Anfield. Despite his role as a centre-back, his influence on what happens in the final third is significant.
“We have to attack with at least six players," Klopp once said. "It can be seven. A cross from the left side - if there is only one guy in the box - can lead to a goal but it’s not really likely."
His words epitomise exactly why Liverpool have one of the most feared attacks in Europe. The German coach has a wealth of offensive options at his disposal on Merseyside, and he wants them to get forward.
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Van Dijk permits that to happen. The Dutchman is complete and possesses very few weaknesses when on the field. Crucially, he's well-rounded enough to manage when left one-on-one against virtually every attacking player in the world.
Tricksters such as Kylian Mbappe, Adama Traore and Son Heung-min have attempted to beat him in recent years, but Van Dijk regularly tends to come out on top regardless of who he's up against.
His pace, strength and height, alongside his coolness under pressure and expertise when forcing opponents to commit to a decision allows him to govern even the most gifted dribblers.
"The man is just too strong, too rapid, too tall, too everything," said Brighton's Neal Maupay. Top strikers such as Sergio Aguero and Erling Haaland have also described him as amongst the best opponents they have faced.
He's perfect for offensive football, and he's perfect for a back four.
Despite his obvious perks, Louis van Gaal is using him differently. The Dutch national team coach has favoured a back three system of late, meaning Van Dijk has two partners alongside him in the centre of his defence rather than one.
"The manager decides the tactics,” said the Liverpool defender when speaking about his preference for 4-3-3, before Van Gaal responded, "I know he has that preference, he always said this publicly. We already had this debate when I came here. The manager decides the tactics."
The former Manchester United boss has always been bold and opinionated, but it seems to be a relatively strange move considering he's also renowned for his tactical acumen.
In Van Dijk, the 70 year-old coach has access to the best one-on-one centre-back in the world, yet he's choosing to give him more protection than he needs by fielding him as part of a back three.
It is a curious move, but one that supporters are unlikely to witness at Anfield.
