“He’s such a commanding figure” – Former Red Emile Heskey believes this player has transformed Liverpool

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has claimed that defender Virgil van Dijk has transformed the club since arriving at Anfield.

The Dutch defender was signed from Southampton in the January transfer window and has made our defence one of the tightest in the league.

Heskey was speaking to the Express, where he added that Liverpool lacked a leader at the back for years and Van Dijk is taking them to another level.

“He’s such a commanding figure, great in the air and quick on the ground.

“It just seems like they’re getting there defensively.

“Attacking wise for years they’ve been at it – they’ve been one of the best.

“But defensively they’ve let themselves down.”

The Englishman further claimed that Liverpool have learned how to win ugly and praised our central defensive pairing too.

“Obviously over the last few years what everyone has been saying was about the defence and they’re not been good enough compared to the competition.

“But it seems with likes of Van Dijk and Gomez – who has looked great – they’re forming a partnership. “

The Dutchman certainly has turned things around at the back for us and Gomez has been brilliant so far.

Van Dijk certainly is a leader at the back and seems to work well with our new goalkeeper Alisson as well.

Read more: Sadio Mane claims this Liverpool star works like an “animal”

Hopefully, the defence can keep things tight for the rest of the season and lead us to some silverware.