Alisson Becker’s injury will likely be Arne Slot’s first real test at Liverpool, but he can rest assured he can lean on the experience of his ever reliable captain.
Although the match at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace was largely forgettable for the major part, it was a pleasure to simply watch a seasoned campaigner confidently and skilfully plying his trade without any fuss at work.
Van Dijk appears to be quietly having a superb start to the season. Quietly because he isn’t celebrated with the same level of fanfare as Arsenal duo Gabriel and William Saliba. More importantly, because this is the subdued level of competence we have come to expect from the Dutchman with his commanding presence, forever talking, gesturing, advising and dishing out instructions.
On Saturday, Kostas Tsimikas was the one mainly on the receiving end of Van Dijk’s vast experience, which only served to benefit the left-back and Liverpool as a whole, as they kept a sixth clean sheet of the season.
Both Van Dijk and centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate were crucial in keeping the hosts at bay.
Liverpool were most fortunate for the decision to not penalise Van Dijk for pulling back Marc Guehi inside the area, but that is a dark art that many a defender looks to get away with, and often does.
Hence it is an unlikely coincidence therefore that Liverpool have begun the campaign with the best Premier League record at a time when Van Dijk, now 33, is playing like the Van Dijk prior to sustaining the anterior cruciate ligament injury.
This season City and Arsenal are currently lurking quietly below, with both being expected to eventually overtake Liverpool in the table.
Arne Slot seems to have resolved their defensive deficiencies, hence there is every reason to suggest Liverpool could be eventual title contenders.
How long that lasts will depend on whether this squad can stay away from the physio room.
Alisson limping off against Palace with 15 minutes remaining was certainly not a good sign. The goalkeeper appeared to suffer a hamstring injury, and on came Vitezslav Jaros, the 23-year-old Liverpool academy graduate who was thrown in at the deep end for his Premier League debut after four seasons away on loan.
Jaros’ stint in goal may be short-lived with usual No 2 Caoimhin Kelleher only missing against Palace due to illness, but either way, managing the potential absence of Alisson looks to be Slot’s first real challenge at Liverpool.
However, Slot can at least rely on the experience of his captain to hold the fort while he is into his final year at Anfield.