Thierry Henry has hailed Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s “most important player” following his decisive goal in the Reds’ 2-1 triumph over West Ham, which propelled them a staggering 13 points clear at the Premier League summit.
While dissecting Van Dijk’s pivotal strike on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, the Arsenal icon underscored the Dutchman’s significance to Liverpool, surpassing even that of Mohamed Salah, who boasts an impressive tally of 32 goals in 46 appearances this season.
Henry elaborated on Van Dijk’s impact, saying: “This is why I keep on saying this is the most important player to sign. You have guys that are maybe way better technically, but this is like the foundation of your club.”
He continued to praise Van Dijk’s unique ability to influence the game, stating: “You saw it, he just went into a mood of ‘I want to score’. Who can do that? He said I want to score, and he went to score. You don’t have that often.”
Henry further explained Van Dijk’s defensive prowess: “For example, if he was in that back four of Nottingham Forest, the coach doesn’t have to get up, he will sort it out. Yes, he will get caught out sometimes, and we saw it, but more often than not, he will stop a counter with his mouth.
“He doesn’t have to defend, he’s very clever. I said, he’s the most important player at Liverpool. Then you have the most valuable player is Mo Salah, he’s [Van Dijk] the most important.”
Salah has already pledged his future to Liverpool by signing a new two-year contract, and Virgil van Dijk is expected to do the same. After their victory over West Ham, Van Dijk hinted that an agreement was imminent.
“I think first, all the focus should be going to the Hillsborough anniversary,” Van Dijk said. “I think that’s the main thing and then we’ll see. The focus will still be on Leicester, but maybe there’s some news. I know … but I don’t know.
“I love the club, that’s pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same.
“I think it’s the whole combination. I joined the club in 2017 for many reasons. Reasons like how much it means to all the Scousers, to all the fans around the whole world to be connected to Liverpool.
“Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool … that is just part of me. That’s why I’m always proud when I wear that shirt, go out there and try to be the best version of myself in terms of the football player that I am.”
Liverpool are set to return to action on Sunday when they face second-bottom Leicester at the King Power Stadium. Leicester have only managed one win in their last 18 league games under Ruud van Nistelrooy.