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Virgil van Dijk has been one of Liverpool’s best signings in recent memory, with the defender staying at a world-class level ever since signing from Southampton.

The Dutch international has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Premier League history after leading Liverpool to a UEFA Champions League title as well as the English top-flight, with numerous domestic titles to boot.

With Liverpool making progress in awarding Van Dijk a new contract, the 33-year-old is showing no sign of slowing down just yet, with the defender showing the kind of form that suggests that the Anfield captain will be at the top of his game for many more years to come.

And Darren Bent has shared how different Liverpool are when Van Dijk isn’t playing.

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Speaking on TalkSport, the pundit noted how Van Dijk’s presence makes Liverpool’s defence automatically better, with Bent noting how the Dutchman brings the best out of his teammates whenever he’s starting in the backline.

Bent said: “I just think Virgil brings that calming influence.

You take him out of that backline, I’m not saying it becomes ropey, but you have Konate, Quansah, Gomez, they all look fantastic alongside Van Dijk.

You take him out of the mix, even the fullbacks are great with him, without him it’s a bit different, a lack of inspiration.”

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth

With Liverpool without Van Dijk last night in their 2-1 League Cup win against Southampton, the captain’s absence was felt as the Reds struggled at times without their talismanic centre-back playing alongside Jarell Quansah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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Yet with Van Dijk as fit as he has ever been at Liverpool, the Reds know they can turn to the defender whenever needed in the important games, with this weekend’s tie against Tottenham set to be a big one for Arne Slot’s side.

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Liverpool’s defensive record has been one of the best in Europe this season, with the Reds top of the Premier League and Champions League standings and having a system in place under Slot that teams are finding hard to break down.

And Van Dijk’s form has been a large reason as to why Liverpool have been as good as they have been this season, with the 33-year-old looking like the best version of himself and hardly putting a foot wrong this year.

Indeed, Van Dijk signing a new contract for Liverpool would be huge heading into 2025, and the Anfield side need to do all they can to ensure that their captain and star defender remains on Merseyside heading into this exciting new era under Slot.

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