Liverpool: This is the back four we want against Manchester City

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton jumps between Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson of Liverpool during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton jumps between Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson of Liverpool during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 5, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is watched by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James McCarthy of Everton. (Picture by Clive Brunskill from Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is watched by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James McCarthy of Everton. (Picture by Clive Brunskill from Getty Images) /

Center Back: Virgil van Dijk

Klopp had no hesitation throwing Virgil van Dijk into the lineup last Friday. He had less than a week of training with his new team mates but Klopp backed the Dutchman’s talent and instincts to get the job done. And did he!

Ninety minutes of top-level defending was topped off with the winning goal in a Merseyside FA Cup derby in front of a rapturous Kop. This would have been exactly how he dreamt it the night before.

Van Dijk has already played Man City for Southampton. The Saints played a back three and van Dijk was the middle of the center backs. They defended stoutly that day and were unlucky to lose to a late Raheem Sterling winner.

Liverpool paid a world record fee for a defender for him to help them win games like these. The City squad is one of the most expensively assembled in history. Liverpool need to prove that their record signing can help them compete.

Breaking Man City’s season-long unbeaten streak would be a nice way for van Dijk to make his league debut for Liverpool.