Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has indicated that Virgil van Dijk has emerged as the real leader of the current Reds squad since his arrival in the January transfer window.
Liverpool paid a world record transfer fee for a defender to snare Van Dijk away from Southampton in the winter window and the Dutchman has been a stellar signing for the Reds.
The former Celtic man has helped Liverpool to improve their defensive record, an Achilles’ heel earlier in the season, and has been imperious in their Champions League run.
Van Dijk has already been anointed as the leader of the Liverpool back four, but Riise feels that the centre-back has emerged has made a difference to the entire squad.
Riise indicated that the centre-back has had more of an effect on Liverpool’s performances than Mohamed Salah, who has scored 41 goals in all competitions this season.
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“Saying Salah would be too obvious, although perhaps it is inevitable”, Riise told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked who could be termed the Steven Gerrard of the current Liverpool side.
“But I think that real difference to Liverpool has been made by Van Dijk.
“He cost a lot, but since his arrival, he has set up the defence.”
Van Dijk will look to keep Roma’s attack at bay when Liverpool host the Giallorossi tonight at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.
