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Liverpool’s flying wingers are even more important to the club now that the Reds do not have Virgil van Dijk, according to former Anfield defender Glen Johnson.
Van Dijk faces months on the sidelines with the ACL injury he sustained after a reckless challenge from Jordan Pickford in Saturday’s Merseyside derby, although the club is hopeful he will play again this season.
The loss of the man widely regarded as the best center-back in world football has shocked the Premier League champions, and Johnson believes his influence will be greatly missed.
“He’s the number one player Liverpool certainly didn’t want to lose,” said Johnson, who played 200 games for the Reds between 2009 and 2015.
“He is one of those players where everyone performs better when he is there, there are no two ways to do it, we will miss him.”
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are two Liverpool players who have benefited the most from Van Dijk’s presence, as the Dutchman has been able to wipe his back as the pair bombard forward.
The flying duo have recorded 51 Premier League assists between them since the start of the 2018/19 season, but Johnson believes they won’t be able to attack in the same way without Van Dijk behind them.
“There’s nothing better as an offensive back than thinking ‘oh, actually, I don’t need to run back because I know Van Dijk is there, or John Terry is there,'” he said.
“You just know they’re going to win the ball.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
“If you look over your shoulder and it’s someone else, then you don’t get that confidence and then you have to be in totally different positions.
“We’ve seen it over the years with Trent. Sometimes, defensively, he’s gotten into terrible positions, but it doesn’t matter because Van Dijk will stay behind and make everything look so easy.
“Both sides will have to change.”
As for who takes Van Dijk’s place as a central defender, Johnson believes a Reds player has already shown his capabilities.
“Personally I think it will be Fabinho who will be located there,” he said.
(Image: Getty Images)
“We saw him do it a couple of weeks ago (in the 2-0 win at Chelsea) and he was the man of the match, so he could be the one to sign up. As long as he can maintain that level at the time. I don’t think he’s going to be. a big problem “.
The Brazilian certainly feels more at home in midfield, but with the addition of Thiago Alcantara this summer, Liverpool’s numbers in that area are quite strong, meaning Fabinho can join Joe Gómez and Joel Matip as one. of Liverpool’s central defense options.
Johnson is a big fan of the former Monaco player and believes his ability to play from behind will keep him in a good position.
(Image: PA)
“You have to have centrals that are good and serene with the ball,” he continued.
“The teams will show respect to a team like Liverpool, so they will not push all the time from the front.
“You need players in the back who can set up the game, and I think Fabinho can certainly do that, because he’s obviously very good with the ball and he’s used to playing in midfield.
“Of course they would prefer to go to matches with Van Dijk, but I think Fabinho can intervene.”
Glen Johnson spoke to the Daily Mirror on behalf of William Hill for his #MyFootballDNA campaign. Discover your football DNA at https://news.williamhill.com/football/my-football-dna/
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