He beats the press

Van Dijk’s ability on the ball as well as his composure helps Liverpool beat the opposition press. In the opening stages of the game against Arsenal, Van Dijk receives the ball in his own box under pressure (below, right) with opponents looking to cut off his options. Van Dijk instead fires a long ball to Mo Salah out wide. Arsenal’s midfield are bypassed and Liverpool quickly have runners coming from deep (below, left). Salah tries to play the ball into them but it’s cleared. Again, though, Liverpool are from one penalty area to the other in two moves with Van Dijk at the heart of it.