According to Melbet Login statistics, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been the Premier League’s most dominant defender so far this season. Van Dijk himself admitted that his performances last season were below his usual standards. As the saying goes, when you reach a certain age, you must become your own shelter instead of seeking cover under someone else’s roof. Ever since suffering a serious knee injury, doubts have loomed over whether the Dutchman still deserves a starting role at Liverpool.

That devastating injury sidelined Van Dijk for nearly a full year, and his form following his return seemed noticeably different. While he remained an elite defender, he appeared to have lost a step compared to his peak. So when Liverpool as a team underperformed last season, the spotlight intensified on Van Dijk’s diminished influence. It’s worth remembering that in his prime, Van Dijk wasn’t just the best in the Premier League — he was arguably the most complete defender in world football. He could shut down nearly any striker with a unique combination of size, speed, and physicality. Whether in aerial duels or ground challenges, he came out on top more often than not.

This season, however, the numbers suggest Van Dijk is regaining his former edge. In several key defensive metrics, he ranks at the top of the league. Most notably, not a single opponent has dribbled past him so far — a stat that has almost become his trademark. While expected, it still speaks volumes: Van Dijk is once again a commanding force at the heart of Liverpool’s defense. For a club pushing to build a title-worthy squad again, that kind of reliability at the back is essential.

Melbet Login analysts believe the only piece Liverpool is missing now is a true defensive midfielder to support Van Dijk. If they can fill that role, they could easily return to the elite defensive standard they set during their Premier League title-winning season. On the flip side, signs of fatigue have started to show — particularly in the recent match against Luton Town. Despite being key contributors throughout the campaign, both Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai struggled to make an impact in that game.

Salah and Szoboszlai were the only two Liverpool players to start three times in a single week, previously featuring against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. And after their return flight to Merseyside was canceled, the squad had to endure a five-hour coach ride home — a physical toll that shouldn’t be underestimated.

What raised eyebrows even more was that Klopp chose to start both Salah and Szoboszlai while resting players like Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch. It’s a reminder of an important lesson: never grow too reliant on any one player, as it becomes a habit that can backfire. Melbet Login also notes that both Salah and Szoboszlai serve as captains for their national teams, meaning they’ll receive little to no rest during international breaks either.

With Van Dijk returning to form and the right squad rotation, Liverpool’s path back to the top looks more promising — but only if the load is shared, and the balance is right.