When Liverpool went looking for a centre back four years ago, they watched no fewer than 34 candidates play 15 games apiece. When it came to those with potential to develop, Virgil van Dijk emerged top in every category, from aerial prowess and recovery speed to composure and the respect of his colleagues.
It's the spatial awareness, the calmness, the height, the goals and the guidance for Joe Gomez and Joel Matip who are poorer without him, which they will now miss. As well as the diagonal passes which propel Liverpool ahead on the counter attack and were integral to last year's 3-1 away win at Bayern Munich, in which Van Dijk also scored.