Jurgen Klopp’s plan for no Virgil van Dijk won’t work

Liverpool will struggle without Virgil van Dijk.

Jurgen Klopp had a plan to deal without the Dutchman but it lies in tatters.

Back in February the German told reporters why he wasn’t worried about the absence of the world’s best central defender, and some have used those words to calm fears.

The Mirror reported that Klopp was happy with how his side played as a unit, and they certainly do have a structure that allows them to keep the opposition away from the goal.

"Klopp said: “The most important thing is that we didn’t miss him as much as a lot of people expected us to because we defend as a unit.“Of course it is really good to have him back. It is the first time in weeks that we have to make a choice between midfielders, full-backs and even centre-backs if you think about Fabinho.”"

But Virgil van Dijk is a key way of how Liverpool keep their cohesive structure. Losing him is a devastating blow. 

Joel Matip and Joe Gomez are the only recognised centre-backs in the senior squad and no they’ll come under terrible pressure to stay fit and stay in form. They’ll also need to do it without the colossus of van Dijk at their side.

The Dutchman seems to have a mythical ability to raise the levels of anyone who plays with him and it’s true that Matip and Gomez appear more comfortable when they’re picked in the same side as van Dijk.

Klopp will now have to hope that Fabinho can learn on the job, quickly. Liverpool have shaky at the back, have Alisson out injured, the midfield not functioning as it should and an out of form Roberto Firmino.

It’s not a combination of events that inspires confidence.

That ACL blow will keep van Dijk out of the side until close to the end of the season, at best. We can talk about the back five defending as a unit, full-backs included, until the cows come home but the fact is we’re missing the key part of the machine.

Liverpool’s strength in depth could see them through a few games, but with Dejan Lovren sold to Zenit that strength in depth no longer exists and neither does the team cohesion Klopp talks about.