Of incalculable importance to Liverpool as the club seeks to end their long wait for a Premier League title, Virgil van Dijk has been receiving praise from all quarters.
Central to the tightening up of a defence that last season looked to hobble Liverpool's best attacking efforts, Gary Breen has been deciphering elements of the Dutchman's performances that have most impressed him.
Speaking to Off the Ball this afternoon, Breen, in-between stressing how impressed he has been with the Dutch defender, identified an aspect of van Dijk's game that has so readily improved during his time in English football.
"He's been sensational," the former Irish defender said of van Dijk.
"Having said that, as good as he is, there's still room for improvement. He'll get better, and that's a frightening prospect."
Praising not only the upturn in form van Dijk's performances have aided, Breen identified how successful the Dutchman had been in helping the players around him develop too.
Arriving in England via Celtic, however, Breen couldn't but point out how quickly and assuredly van Dijk had overcome his propensity to switch off when things appeared to be going according to plan.
"I think ultimately it comes down to his concentration levels," Breen began.
"At times, the game is so easy for him that he just switches off. His managers in the Eredivisie accused him of that, and he certainly had that at Celtic where you don't have to be at your best [to win].
"Then he came down to the Premier League and you could see it straight away at Southampton where he would lazily get back into position [sometimes].
"He's learned from that, and now he's going to get even better."
Looking to have excelled even Jurgen Klopp's wildest expectations, Virgil van Dijk will be key to any intentions Liverpool have of making it an unforgettable season.
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