Liverpool's centre-backs showed against Manchester City why they have a case to be considered the best defensive pairing in Europe

Virgil van Dijk would wear slippers to play if Nike made them; he could do Wordle between attacks. Clive Tyldesley says he is more important than Mo Salah.

The forward has been a star performer for Liverpool this season, scoring 16 goals after being unleashed in his favoured left-wing position by new head coach Arne Slot. The Netherlands international has gone from strength to strength under his compatriot since scoring a brace away at Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup at the end of October.