AS Brentford’s

lively forward Ivan Toney threatened to sprint clear of the Liverpool defence late in Saturday’s 3-3 draw, Virgil van Dijk turned on the burners. Over the space of five yards, Van Dijk gained roughly two and was able to take the ball. Early proof, then, that knee surgery has not robbed the Liverpool defender of one of his most important assets and it is probably just as well. For Liverpool’s defending was sketchy at Brentford. There was a feeling of chaos about the three goals conceded and, in the wake of the first one, it was possible to identify four Liverpool players who might have done better. Van Dijk’s return is fundamental to Liverpool’s title chances this season but so too, perhaps, is that of England’s Joe Gomez. It will be a surprise if Jurgen Klopp keeps the reins on Van Dijk’s old partner for much longer.