Premier League 2018/19: Key takeaways from Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Liverpool

#4 Van Dijk emphatic at both ends

Bernd Leno had to pull off an incredible save to deny Van Dijk

Once upon a time (less than ten months ago), solid defense was not something that could be associated with Liverpool, as the Anfield outfit had repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with comical defending and a series of schoolboy errors which cost the team multiple points.

Goalkeepers, defenders, fullbacks, midfielders, nobody was left out of it, as Klopp tried all methods in vain to get his team performing at optimal level in defense.

The club struggled to keep clean sheets, and a common scene in Liverpool’s matches was seeing scorelines which were more reflective of cricket matches than a top-level football match, as the club operated on an outscoring of opponent principle.

It, therefore, came as no surprise when Klopp identified shoring up the defense as a top priority, and made Virgil van Dijk his top target.

A club record amount was spent to purchase him from Southampton, which is also the highest amount expended on a defender, and if anyone was scoffing at the price of the Netherlands center-back, Liverpool are definitely the ones laughing now, as the 27-year-old has proved to be worth every penny expended on him.

He has transformed Liverpool’s defense, with his solid and calm performances, and helped the club keep nine consecutive clean sheets at Anfield until the run was halted by Cardiff last week.

Against Arsenal, he was at his imperious best, proving a nuisance to everything the Gunners threw at Liverpool’s backline, and also came in handy in Liverpool’s attacks.

He had the best chance of the first half, when he showed great technique to control a long ball with his chest, before calmly placing the ball in a manner which any striker would have been proud of, and was destined to end in the back of the net but for a fine stop by Bernd Leno.

His physicality also came to the fore when Liverpool were attacking or defending setpieces, and he had a couple of chances from corner kicks, hitting the post on one occasion.

Liverpool may have paid £75m for Van Dijk’s services, but on account of his performances so far, it is proving to be a bargain.