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On this day.

It is a phrase regularly published, a historical time regularly looked at and this is no exception because on January 1, 2018, Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool as the winter transfer window opened.

The Reds paid £75million to secure the services of the commanding Dutch international on December 27, he arrived five days later and it's safe to say Jurgen Klopp's side have not looked back since.

His power, pace and wonderful ability to both lead and defend while bringing an air of total calmness to the game and those around him is something to behold.

The difference he has made to the defence is startling and plain to see with Liverpool having conceded as many goals as they had achieved with Van Dijk at the club in 2018 as a testament to how well he has played in each and every game.

Although, that is not the only thing that has already made the centre-back an Anfield hero because a number of key matches in his career on Merseyside have hugely contributed too.

Liverpool v Everton - January 5, 2018

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It's an easy place to start because the sensational Virgil van Dijk made his debut for Liverpool in the FA Cup and a Merseyside Derby at that to instantly prove it was £75m well spent.

The Dutchman won everything in the air and was cool as you like with the ball at his feet during a blood and thunder derby.

And then, with five minutes to go, Liverpool won a corner on the left, up went Van Dijk.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whipped in the cross and there was the Reds’ instant hero, rising with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, getting there first, winning the game against Liverpool’s oldest and nearest rivals.

He left the pitch as the all conquering hero after that incredible finish at Anfield.

Manchester City v Liverpool - April 10, 2018

Liverpool's resilience and new-found defensive stability, that Van Dijk was largely responsible for at this point of the season, was in the spotlight after the Reds won away at the Etihad in the Champions League quarter-final to book their spot in the next round.

The Reds went into the game with a 3-0 aggregate lead but it was a horribly one-sided opening 45 minutes as City, who had scored three or more on 12 occasions at home that season, bossed proceedings and found the back of the net once.

Klopp had warned Liverpool to expect a “thunderstorm” and they found themselves under siege barely getting out of their half before the break.

Defensively though, Klopp's side were rock-solid with Van Dijk organising and the outstanding Dejan Lovren putting himself into the path of everything City could muster.

It was a huge testament to just how far Liverpool had come with the Dutchman in the heart of defence and that was proved as they reached the final of the European competition.

Arsenal v Liverpool - November 3, 2018

(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk was a colossus at the back and Joe Gomez also excelled as the Reds, who had just 38% possession, worked tirelessly to keep the hosts out as the game ended 1-1.

It was the first time this season where it looked like Liverpool were genuinely under threat but Van Dijk was immense as he repeatedly spotted danger and dealt with it.

Even when Mkhitaryan broke away, he darted back - showing off his wonderful pace - and simply out-muscled the attacker.

The Dutchman was outstanding – and could easily have had a hat-trick at the other end – but was awarded a wel-deserved the man of the match accolade for his efforts.

Wolves v Liverpool - December 21, 2018

Virgil van Dijk was absolutely immense. The most expensive defender in the world proved over the course of 2018 that he's also the most gifted.

(Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

The £75m man finally ended his wait for a first Premier League goal for the Reds to get the festive season off to a flyer.

Van Dijk wrapped up the points in the second half after Mohamed Salah had broken the deadlock in style.

He won his aerial battles, knocked the ball around nonchalantly and stood tall. When the threatening Adama Traore tried to dart away from him, the Dutchman not only out-paced him but out-muscled him too.

Van Dijk is the gift that keeps on giving.