When Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk a year ago, I thought they had signed a good player.

I underestimated him. Few have had such a profound and immediate influence on any Liverpool team. Since his goalscoring debut in the Merseyside derby last January he has proven one of the most instantly successful Anfield recruits of the last 30 years.

He rates alongside Mohamed Salah, whose debut season was extraordinary, in that regard. But if Van Dijk continues as now – and Liverpool win trophies - I will go further.

We will be talking about Van Dijk as we do John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness – Liverpool legends who from the moment they put on the shirt imposed themselves on the team and club to elevate everyone else.

Moreover, should Van Dijk prove the difference between Liverpool going close to and winning major trophies he will join the list of the club’s greatest centre-backs.