5 of the best centre-backs in Europe this season

#2 Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)

Van Dijk has been the best defender in the Premier League this season

It needs to be said more; without the towering Dutchman, Liverpool fans will not be dreaming of a first Premier League title. The pony-tailed giant has added steel to the finesse the team possessed before. What has emerged has been a brilliant side seemingly without weakness.

His brilliance has led to many brain -proclamations by certain pundits and the ever-crazy Liverpool online fanbase. What is not in doubt, however, is his quality and importance for the Reds.

Unflappable, strong, brilliant in the air, aggressive and a great reader of the game, he has added steel and most importantly, organisation to the Liverpool defence. With him in the side, Jurgen Klopp's frontline has found the courage to attack in the same style they did last season.

The 27-year-old has played every minute of Liverpool's 21-Premier League games so far and all six of their group games in the UCL. If the Reds can hold their nerve and win the league title, a lot will be down to the quality Van Dijk brought.