OPINION
Of all the Liverpool players, only perhaps Mohamed Salah and Alisson have the same irreplaceable status as Virgil van Dijk.
The giant Dutchman has been magnificent since joining from Southampton last January and has been one of the chief reasons a once porous defence has been transformed into a virtually impenetrable one.
Echo correspondent James Pearce’s Monday night reveal that Van Dijk is a major doubt for Wednesday’s Premier League showdown against Leicester City is a huge concern for Liverpool and their fans.
Van Dijk concern for Klopp ahead of Leicester showdown #LFC https://t.co/OQzTqsM0Kd
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 28, 2019
Pearce has reported in the Echo that Van Dijk hasn’t taken part in training since picking up an illness during the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai last week.
The centre-back missed Monday’s session at Melwood under the light and is not expected to feature against the Foxes if he fails to take part in training on Tuesday.
Liverpool fans will be sweating buckets over the availability of the outstanding defender in the Premier League and the best in Europe this season.
With Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined, back-up right-back James Milner suspended, there is the possibility of a makeshift back four taking to the field at Anfield on Wednesday night for the first match in 10 days.
Dejan Lovren is fit again, and is likely to pair up with Joel Matip if Van Dijk misses out, while either Fabinho or Rafa Camacho is set to stand in on the right side of defence.
Liverpool supporters could accept such a shake-up as long as Van Dijk was there to organise, hector and be the master and commander of a defence he has led so brilliantly over the last year.
It is stating the obvious that they will be desperate for him to play.