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Virgil van Dijk rarely looks flustered on a football pitch.

He’s a colossal center-back, with all the physical traits of an early ‘90s defender alongside the technical qualities required to play the role today.

Early on, Van Dijk followed him, fouling the City star to prevent an opposition attack and, at least twice in the early throes, the former Southampton star ended up alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in midfield.

This was mainly down to a tactical tweak from City as Liverpool had not anticipated Pep Guardiola’s approach to the game, and both Foden and Omar Marmoush carried a threat in the opening stages.

In the breaks of play, Van Dijk was seen screaming instructions at team-mates, trying to ensure gaps were filled so he didn’t need to push higher up the pitch.

Van Dijk has been monumental this season for Liverpool.

It’s the sort of moment that easily gets overlooked but it may well have proved instrumental in Liverpool grabbing three points as it extended the gap at the top of the table.

Van Dijk spoke in an interview with Jamie Redknapp last week about how his role has changed since becoming Liverpool captain, while he has repeatedly called for calm and focus this campaign amid the giddiness that has stemmed from fans and the media over a possible Premier League title

He hasn’t missed a single minute of Premier League football this season and, for all his on-field skills, it’s his leadership that may prove most valuable