Sky Sports analyst Paul Merson says Virgil Van Dijk is Jürgen Klopp's most important signing as Liverpool manager.
Merson defines Van Dijk as a "Rolls Royce of a defender" and a "unreal addition for the Reds" in an interview with SportsKeeda.
Prior announcing his belief that the £75 million signing that acquired Van Dijk from Southampton to Liverpool is Klopp's greatest piece of transfer dealings as Reds manager, he identified four other players who were in the race.
Andy Robertson is ranked 5th on Merson's list. The previous Arsenal midfielder applauds Liverpool scouts for discovering such a gem for only £8 million.
Sadio Mané, who recently left the club, is the fourth. Merson believes that people "take for granted" Mané's ability at Liverpool, and that "perhaps they'll understand his value when they begin the new season without him."
Mo Salah, Liverpool's superstar, is third. Many would argue that the Egyptian, who scored118 goals in 180 matches for the Reds, should be higher on this list. Salah is "truely unplayable at his best," according to Merson.
Alisson Becker is in 2nd spot, only behind Van Dijk. Merson lavishes praise on Alisson, claiming that his acquisition was "exactly as significant" as Van Dijk's.
The majority of the football community will regard the Sky pundit's ratings as largely correct.
Though Salah and Mané have been key to Liverpool's frenetic attacking play over the years, Van Dijk and Alisson have calmed the ship and improved Liverpool from a decent side to a strong one.
Van Dijk's ability to continue up where he left off prior to injury was critical for Liverpool last season.
He was a calming influence in the Liverpool side, and he became unstoppable under Jürgen Klopp.
The argument over centre-backs at Anfield generally focuses on Van Dijk's partner instead of the Dutchman himself.
Last term, Ibrahima Konaté adjusted well to Premier League life, however his position in the squad is far from sure.
Both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will be competing for the French centre-spot back's upcoming season.
One thing is certain: if Van Dijk can stay injury free, he will be a regular for Liverpool.
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