At 34, Virgil van Dijk is no longer the dominant force who single-handedly transformed Liverpool's defensive record when he arrived from Southampton. But he remains something arguably more valuable in a run-in campaign: an organiser, a leader, and a reassuring presence who makes everyone around him better. Van Dijk's ability to read the game has become his primary attribute as the years have reduced the pace advantage he once had over centre-forwards. He positions himself to intercept rather than recover. He communicates constantly — with his full-backs, with the goalkeeper, with the midfield in front of him. For the Fulham fixture on Saturday 11 April, his aerial dominance will be tested by a Fulham side that has deliveries into the box as one of their attacking weapons. Clean sheets in the run-in are not just about attackers scoring — they are about Van Dijk and his partner Ibrahima Konate maintaining defensive discipline for 90 minutes. Van Dijk's future beyond this season is another unresolved question at Anfield. But right now, Liverpool need him at his best for seven games. That is the only conversation that matters. 📅 Sat 11 Apr, 08:30 UTC | Anfield 🏆 GW30 | The Defensive Leader