Liverpool delivered a gritty and hard-fought 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night to lay down a Premier League title marker.
A James Milner penalty and a Sadio Mane goal helped secure the three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who weathered a second-half storm from an impressive Palace team.
Here are three things we learned about Liverpool from triumph:
Van Dijk has usurped brilliant Belgians
To find the identity of the outstanding centre-back in the Premier League, you had to look no further than an intimate and atmospheric stadium in south London last night. Virgil van Dijk was colossal and commanding at centre-back. A dominant presence in both penalty boxes, he quietened the massive threat of Christian Benteke, who was subbed late on, and led from the back with the leadership and organisation that is his hallmark. For good measure, the Holland international pinged 60-yard passes on to a six pence. Van Dijk has now usurped the brilliant Belgians, Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, as the best in his position in the English top flight.
Milner will surely make way
Former England international Milner did little wrong at Selhurst. He scrapped hard in midfield, distributed the ball sensibly and slotted his penalty away calmly. But it was telling that Klopp withdrew the 32-year-old two-thirds of the way through the match as he introduced Jordan Henderson to bring more energy into the midfield. The club captain could now be recalled to the starting XI for Saturday’s home clash against Brighton after beginning the campaign on the bench following his late return from the World Cup. It is 5ft 9in Milner (source: Transfermarkt), and not the impressive Georginio Wijnaldum, who must lose his place to Henderson at the weekend.
Gomez is the real deal
Amid the acclaim for the brilliant 2018 signings Van Dijk, Allison and Naby Keita, the re-emergence of Joe Gomez might go under the radar in some quarters. But the fit-again defender’s super-smooth display alongside Van Dijk after moving across from the right-back slot he held last season stood out like a beacon. Gomez has long been talked about as a future centre-back, and it is clear he is even more comfortable in this position. Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have their work cut out getting back in the side after this gem of a display from the young Englishman.